Guaranteeing health-care top priority at African Union: Commissioner

CAIRO – 17 March 2019: The African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology Professor Sarah Anyang Agbor highlighted the importance of scientific research to guarantee health care services, during a Sunday plenary session at the Arab-African Youth Forum held in Aswan.

Titled, “The Future of Scientific Research and Health Care,” the session discussed different perspectives from different countries on ensuring better health care through utilizing new technologies.

Professor Agbor further referred to the role of scientific research to guarantee the implementation of the Union’s Agenda 2036, which also promotes sustainable development.

“When there is a clear vision, people will live a healthy life. The African Union has adopted a long-term strategy in this regard. African resources should be utilized, and health-care should be guaranteed when we provide necessary food for our bodies,” Agbor said.

Africa has a 10-year strategy prioritizing technology, scientific research and innovation, which will enable us to convert the continent we live in into a better place, she elaborated.

During her speech, Agbor thanked President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as “one of the pioneer leaders who worked on developing the continent to boost science and technology, and I am proud to see his passion to youth and infrastructure.”

“Scholarships are very important to students who have knowledge but lack tools...to serve their countries. The African Union seeks partnerships with African universities in different fields like: water and climate change.”

During the same session, Dr. Hala Zayed, Minister of Health and Population of Egypt said that “there is a nexus between scientific research and medical services as the results of the researches provide solutions to the main challenges.”

The Arab and African Youth Forum launched in Aswan on Saturday, and set to last for three days until March 18 under the patronage of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The forum will tackle topics such as the future of scientific research and health care, the impact of advanced technology and innovation in Africa and the Arab region.

The forum's agenda revolves around Arab and African subjects of concern in light of Egypt's presidency of the African Union in 2019. The Youth forum’s activities include open discussions, workshops, seminars and round tables gathering senior officials, decision-makers and a large number of young people from all over Africa.