From October 4-6, 2010, health industry leaders, government representatives, investors, medical professionals and entrepreneurs convened in Washington, D.C., for CCA’s U.S. – Africa Private Sector Health Conference. The conference, themed “Integrating Business Solutions for Expanding Access,” offered three days of dynamic networking and energetic discussions on commercially viable opportunities that positively impact health care delivery in Africa.
Workshops and plenary sessions addressed rebalancing investments in global health, particularly as policymakers move towards a “health systems strengthening” paradigm, including the importance of integrating non-communicable disease prevention and care into existing programs. Sustainable financing remained a strong theme, with panelist experts emphasizing the importance of market-based investments and delivery models to reduce dependency on aid programs.
There were significant pronouncements of support from public health leadership on the role of the private sector in improving health care in Africa. Health sector leaders such as Dr. Luis Sambo, Regional Director for Africa for the World Health Organization, and Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister of Medical Services of the Republic of Kenya, noted the importance of private sector investment and collaboration in order to expand access to health care. Attendees were honored to also be joined by special guests Mme. Viviane Wade, First Lady of Senegal, and Dr. Barnabas S. Dlamini, Prime Minister of Swaziland.
Proving that the U.S.-Africa Private Sector Health Conference was far more a business conference than a global health event, attendees have already cited several new potential deals and partnerships emanating from vigorous side discussions, workshop debates and from “The Vault,” the conference’s special financial networking forum.
Please contact ebachini@africacncl.org for more information on the conference.
