STORY: African countries urged to build resilient health systems
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 30, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 2, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MUTALE NALUMANGO, Zambian Vice President
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Health Minister
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JEAN KASEYA, the Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

STORYLINE:

The 2023 Conference on Public Health in Africa concluded on Thursday in Lusaka with a call for African countries to establish resilient health systems.

The conference discussions should spark renewed energy and commitment to constructing healthier and more robust health systems, said Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango while addressing the challenges in the health sector.

Encouraging participants to leverage the knowledge gained and foster connections, Nalumango stressed the importance of translating discussed issues into actionable plans across the continent to fortify public health systems.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MUTALE NALUMANGO, Zambian Vice President
"Though our public health challenges are many and diverse, we remain hopeful that there is an opportunity for innovation, collaboration and lasting change."

Zambia's Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said the discussions would propel progress in public health across Africa, and that the conference would help identify common public health challenges and seek interventions to enhance the continent's health security.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Health Minister
"The conference challenged us to build resilient and functional public health systems on the continent. This public health system should be able to withstand all public health shocks this world brings. We were also challenged to consider how to respond disease threats arising from climate change challenges."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JEAN KASEYA, Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
"I had an opportunity to witness a panel of women, leaders, scientists, educators, advocates coming together and thinking about what will be the future of young women in Africa. I had the opportunity to discuss with panelists about how to prepare for the next pandemic by putting together all of our resources on a more sustainable way."

Held under the theme "Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture," the conference brought together about 5,100 delegates, with an additional 30,000 participating virtually.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)