Africa Women's Health

24th February, 2022

Women in Africa are the pillars of their families and communities. They serve as the life-givers, mothers, peacemakers, entrepreneurs and the providers of care for children and the elderly. However, they bear a disproportionately large share of the global disease burden and death. Women in Africa are more likely to die from communicable diseases (e.g. HIV, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, than women in other regions of the world.

The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing Women's Health in Africa

It is crucial that we protect and promote the health of women on the continent – with a focus on quality, affordability and equity – for the wellbeing and development of both current and future generations.

Representing over 50% of a continent’s human resources, women’s health in Africa also has major implications on the overall development of Africa.

AHBS VII was a full-day highly interactive hybrid event, allowing both in-person and virtual participation, welcoming eminent health experts, business leaders and development partners to discuss, share information and provide lessons learned on key areas that affect women’s health in Africa.

Symposium Recording

Session Report

The Symposium in Numbers

The Symposium Report

The Symposium in Pictures

Testimonials

Ministry and Government Agencies

H.E Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister for Health Ethiopia:
Importance of advancing healthcare for women on the African continent

H.E Amira El Fadil, Commissioner Social Affairs, A.U:
The role of the private sector in advancing women's health in Africa

Ms. Susan Mochache, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health Kenya:
Collaboration for better access and quality of health for the African woman

Dr. Achamyelesh Debala, Regional Coordinator Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, Africa CDC:
Partnerships for improvement of women's health on the African continent

Dr. Juliet Nabyonga, Regional Representative WHO, Kenya:
Creating a momentum in advocacy for the bettering of women's health in Africa

Private Sector Champions

Marloes Kibacha, Managing Director, Africa Health Business:
Africa Health Business, Impacting African women's health on the ground

Philana Mugyenyi, Government Affairs Manager, Terumo BCT :
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, ensuring adequate, safe and sustainable blood for African mothers

Nyawira Njeru, Head of Market Access and Government Affairs, Hologic:
Hologic, raising awareness and advocating for women's health in Africa

Nicole Spieker, CEO, PharmAccess:
PharmAccess Group, using digital technology to strengthen inclusive health markets in Africa

Jacqueline Wambua, Lead Health System Partnerships, Roche:
Roche, Why we should strengthen women's health in Africa

Enya Seguin, Business Development Manager, Delft Imaging:
Delft Imaging, Empowering community health workers to address pregnancy complications in Africa

Women’s health is at the center point of health systems globally and the WHO is fully committed to improving women’s health across the African region. To this end we applaud Africa Health Business for selecting this theme for its next symposium in February 2022. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with AHB.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Director General,
World Health Organization

Addressing gender related barriers, in accessing and utilisation of health services, is fundamental to advance women’s health. I look forward to participating in the February AHBS 2022 event where “equity” is the main theme.

Dr. Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam

Senior Regional Engagement Advisor,
Africa CDC

The pandemic has demonstrated to us that innovative partnerships to improve global health are non-negotiable. Africa Health Business AHB has over the past several years promoted such partnerships. I am delighted you have selected Women's Health as your central theme for the February 2022 symposium. I encourage more partnerships and investments be made in the health sector through platforms such as these. We are only safe when everyone is safe

Carole Kariuki

Chief Executive Officer,
Kenya Private Sector Alliance