Marrakech Declaration, a roadmap for an African Charter on Health Harm Reduction – The North Africa Post

Participants at the 1st African Conference on Health Risk Reduction were encouraged to develop an African Charter on Health Harm Reduction In Africa. This Charter is based on a multistakeholder vision and is essential for the sovereign transformation of African health systems in an environment that values solidarity and cooperation in order to ensure the health security of all African citizens.

This conference brought together 800 experts, professionals, specialists, and decision-makers from Africa and around the world for three days. It also called for strengthening African health systems through a risk reduction approach.

They also recommended improving the living conditions for all citizens by improving the environment in which they are born, grow, live, and age. This was done through the transformation and ethical risk reduction strategies and risk reduction innovations for known medical risks.

They also advocated the development of health policies in Africa. This included universal health coverage for all citizens and equal access to quality health care.

Participants emphasized the importance of presenting strategies to respond to the Covid-19 crisis, drawing lessons from the past that can be used to implement a resilient, effective and collaborative health care system in Africa.

They also emphasized the need to accelerate implementation of the primary care vision and strategy, to develop and use telemedicine and digital healthcare to reach isolated or vulnerable populations, as well as to improve access to quality mental and psychiatric health care. This is in line with the development and treatment of knowledge and the specific needs of patients based on their age and socio-economic condition.