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AT News Report-KABUL: The French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children’s (FMIC) launched on Saturday 8th annual scientific conference to focus on the Sustainable Development Goal.
The conference is with the tagline for this year’s World health Day of the United Nations, better health for everyone, everywhere, in the context of Afghanistan.
This year conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dr. Ahmad Jan Naim, doctors, nurses, academics, public policy experts and representatives from public and private sector, Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan University, La Chaine de l’Espoir and World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss health proposals that could have an immediate and long-lasting impact on Afghanistan’s healthcare service delivery and infrastructure.
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, and political belief, economic or social condition. Afghanistan continues to face major challenges in its pursuit of a better health for its people. Over the past fifteen years, with the Millennium Development Goals as the backdrop, Afghanistan has witnessed some encouraging and noteworthy successes. However, much more efforts are needed to ensure better health for everyone.
Mr. Lee Hilling, Chairman, of FMIC Provisional Operating Committee in his opening remarks pointed towards FMIC’s initiatives and contribution to improve healthcare in Afghanistan through clinical and medical education, including through Post Graduate Medical Education, eLearning, and other training opportunities for nurses and doctors, and research.
H.E. Dr. Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance in congratulating FMIC on the 8th Annual International Scientific Conference emphasized “the leveling impact of research where even small groups in developing countries develop breakthrough solutions that can be adopted by developed nations”, expressing confidence in the drive, knowledge, and hard work of the young Afghan professionals.
“Multi-stakeholder partnership is the key to mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources to support the realization of better health for everyone and the implementation of the SDGs”, said Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Ahmad Jan name at the conference. “Such academic events help us identify areas that deserve our concentrated attention, especially maternal and child health. We hope that with our partners like Aga Khan Development Network and French Government we can work in close coordination with other development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, international communities, academia, media and all relevant stakeholders to ensure health for all”, he added.
During her remarks, Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, AKDN Diplomatic Representative, congratulated FMIC for its “steadfast commitment to promoting a culture of research, knowledge strengthening and evidence-based practice in health care delivery, working with all relevant stakeholders engaged in providing Better Health: Reaching Everyone, Everywhere”.
Speaking at the conference, Mr François Richier, Ambassador of France to Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reassured of their support and committed partnership with FMIC in its endeavor of providing high quality healthcare services to the people of Afghanistan.
Speaking at the conference Mr. PrabhuHariharan, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan reassured of their support and committed partnership with FMIC in its endeavor of providing high quality healthcare services to the people of Afghanistan.
Dr. Eric Cheysson, President La Chaine de l’Espoir, and Chief of the Department of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery in Paris Pontoise Hospital, France, during his remarks mentioned that such a scientific event provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of researchers in the improvement of health and well-being of people in Afghanistan.
In his presentation, DrRikPeeperkorn, WHO Representative for Afghanistan pointed, “The conference sheds light on priority issues pertaining to public health in Afghanistan which will help the MoPH and partners to develop evidence-based policies and plans to address the issues in the country.” He added, “it is essential that government, international partners and donors increase the level of their investment in health to ensure better health for everyone, everywhere”.
The one day conference heard discussions on Governance, Population and Public Health; Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health; Technology, Innovation and Research; Non-Communicable Diseases; Medical, Nursing and Allied Care; and Quality and Patient Safety. A total of 115 projects were presented and over 300 participants were in attendance.
The conference was also attended by representatives from ministries, diplomatic community, AKDN agencies, national and international NGOs, civil society, healthcare providers around Afghanistan and media.
The event is funded by Health Action Plan for Afghanistan (HAPA) – consortium consisting of Government of Canada, AgenceFrançaise de Développement (AFD) and Aga Khan Foundation, Canada – and FMIC.
