African leaders adopt experts report with key actions to defeat AIDS, TB and malaria

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June 27, 2014

PRESS RELEASE N…/ 2014

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 27 June 2014: More than 50 African Heads of State and Government committed Friday to work together to sustain efforts to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria on the continent. With major commitments including the Abuja Declaration and the African Union Roadmap ending in 2015 leaders emphasised the need to remain focused on ensuring the gains made, will be sustained and that Africa moves towards fully controlling the three epidemics.

Translating political commitments into action

The AIDS Watch Africa report, which was endorsed by African leaders, has concrete recommendations that include prioritising AIDS, TB and malaria in the new development goals to ensure that the continued international financing of the response will not be threatened. AIDS, TB and malaria remain major threats to Africa’s health and development priorities and should therefore be at the core of the Post-2015 development agenda.

According to the latest reports AIDS remains a major public health threat killing 1.2 million people on the continent in 2012. Yet, based on the progress that has been made, ending the AIDS epidemic is possible in the Post-2015 era. To achieve this, Africa will need to accelerate antiretroviral treatment as a catalytic action for ending AIDS.

The report, which was put, together by Member States experts working on AIDS, TB and malaria underscores that unprecedented levels of international funding for health since 2001 has resulted in significant progress in improving peoples’ lives. However as the resource landscape is changing, the focus should now be on innovative domestic financing for health. In the spirit of shared responsibility and global solidarity international support will still be critical as Africa will not be able to mobilise sufficient resources to address all the health needs in the short to medium term.

The report further urges African countries to take advantage of the current unprecedented expansion of infrastructural development taking place in Africa, and ensure that environmental impact assessments contribute to expanding access to HIV, TB, and malaria services.

According to the report Member States should continue to prioritise rights based responses to HIV, TB and malaria in access to justice and in law enforcement, including the prioritisation of marginalised populations.

With the huge proportion of the resources committed to addressing these diseases going into procurement of drugs and commodities abroad new strategies are needed. Accelerating the full implementation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa business plan, which promotes local production of medicines, will improve universal access to health. In addition there is a greater need to accelerate regulatory medicines harmonisation to improve access to affordable and quality assured drugs.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org, www.aidswatchafrica.org

About the African Union

African Union The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

About AIDS Watch Africa
Created at the Abuja 2001 Special Summit, AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) is an Africa-led instrument to stimulate leaders into action and mobilise the resources needed to address AIDS, TB and Malaria in an effective, sustainable and accountable manner. Learn more at: http://www.aidswatchafrica.org