Tony Jewell (Wales for Africa Health Links Network), Vaughan Gething (Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport) and Cat Jones (Hub Cymru Africa)
This year’s Wales Africa Health Conference took place in Cardiff (Wednesday, 6 July 2016) and brought together people from all over Wales who work in or have an interest in global health.
Many of these committed and dedicated health professionals from across Wales are helping to support public health and healthcare improvements throughout Africa. They work through a variety of Welsh community groups and charities, contributing significant amounts of voluntary time, expertise and fundraising efforts.
In opening the conference the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Vaughan Gething said: “Over the past 10 years, the Welsh Government has supported and encouraged more people to get involved in Wales for Africa health links. This important programme is making a real difference to people’s lives both in Africa and in Wales – improving health professionals’ skills and experience, in turn driving up standards across the board.
“We should be really proud of what the Wales Africa program has done as it builds upon our shared interest to improve healthcare across the world and helps us foster a generous and outward looking Wales.”
Cat Jones Head of Partnership at Hub Cymru Africa added: “These health links are mutually beneficial partnerships that have a positive impact on the lives of people in Africa and Wales.
“In Africa the Welsh links are helping to improve health education, mother and child health, cancer screening and treatment, eye care and mental health, amongst other things. Welsh health professionals are able to build the capacity of their partners by sharing knowledge and skills, helping to build networks and providing training and equipment.
“In return for those involved, there are benefits of increased confidence, leadership and training skills, understanding of global diseases, and experience of problem solving in very limited resource settings; all things which benefit staff and patients in Wales as well as in Africa.”
These partnerships create a powerful, shared sense of optimism and positivity about what can be achieved in health service delivery – in Wales and Africa, and help to foster a global citizen outlook in the Welsh health community.
This work is very much in line with the duties set out in the Welsh Governments Wellbeing for Future Generations Act which complements the UKs commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference included contributions by visiting speakers from England, Scotland and Namibia.
The event was supported by the Welsh Government funded Hub Cymru Africa, the Wales for Africa Health Links Network and the International Health Coordination Centre, Public Health Wales.
