Theme: “Advancing health security and the socio-economic well-being of Africa’s population: Value of nutrition as an intervention.”
Slogan: Nutrition for Socio-Economic Development
30 May – 01 June 2022
Be a part of the conversation
ABOUT THE STC-HPDC-4
Feature Graphic: Healthy, well-nourished citizens are the backbone of a strong human capital capable of building a strong economy. Investments in expanding access to quality healthcare services and building resilience in nutrition in African Union Member States can strengthen the population’s health and the country’s wealth.
The Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control (STC-HPDC) is one of 14 STCs, defined as an Organ of the African Union (AU) where policies are deliberated upon and endorsed by the AU Member States. The STC on Health, Population and Drug Control meets once every two (2) years under the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social (HHS) Development stewardship. Experts in Health, Population and Drug Control meet for two days and prepare a report of recommendations that transition to Ministers of Health, Population and Drug Control for their consideration and endorsement.
The 4th Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control (STC-HPDC-4), is scheduled to take place virtually, from 30 May – 01 June 2022, under the theme: “Advancing health security and the socio-economic well-being of Africa’s population: Value of nutrition as an intervention”. The theme is derived from the AU theme for 2022, “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-FoodSystems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development”. What is the value of #nutrition in advancing #health security and the socio-economic well-being of #Africa’s population? Be a part of the conversation at #STCHPDC42022 as we discuss arising matters on health, #nutrition, #population and #drug control in #Africa by sharing the key messages and graphics in this toolkit.
KICK-OFF!
1. HASHTAGS(#) & HANDLES(@)
Add the hashtags and handles below to your posts so that the #AUHHS Community can easily find and engage with you.
# Hashtags #YearofNutrition #STCHPDC42022 #AUHHS #AIDSWatchAfrica
@ Handles @AmbSamate @AU_HHS @aidswatchafrica @CARMMAfrica
2. POSTS AND GRAPHICS TO SHARE
(Right-click on the image to download graphics to couple with each post)
HEALTH
Messages:
1. We have less than 10 years to fully implement the Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030) 🔗https://tinyurl.com/85b9fn9t. There is a need to accelerate efforts towards strengthening #health systems performance, increasing investments in #health, improving #equity and addressing social determinants of health, including #nutrition, to reduce priority #disease burdens by 2030.
2. Investment in #foodsecurity is an investment in the success of the African Medicines Agency (#AMA) 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/2p8hu5wy. The food we eat and the water we drink enable #medicine to work. #AMA aspires to enhance Africa’s capacity to regulate medical products to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products in #Africa.
3. #Women of child-bearing age (especially pregnant and lactating women), infants, and young #children are in the most nutritionally-vulnerable life cycle stages. Through the AU Campaign on Accelerated Reduction on Maternal Mortality @CARMMAfrica 🔗 https://carmma.au.int/the @_AfricanUnion Commission mobilises increased #politicalcommitment and action to reduce #maternalmortality in #Africa.
4. The Africa Leadership Meeting on Investing in Health (#ALMInvestingInHealth) 🔗https://tinyurl.com/mrbdw7vw calls for increased, sustained, African-led health financing. Dedicating a good percentage of #health #financing to scale up equity-focused investments to improve #nutrition is vital for Africa’s productivity and economic development.
5. Nutrition training of community health workers (#CHWs) equips them with more knowledge and competence to provide nutrition-related care, especially for children. #AU Member States endorsed the 2 Million Africa Community Health Worker Initiative 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/kvz2nuds to empower #CHWs in Africa to serve its population adequately.
6. The #COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to re-examine the continent’s socio-economic priorities, including governance, partnerships and long term investments. The role of resilient #health and #social sectors is apparent, and the time to strengthen the sectors is upon us.
7. The 2030-target set in the #CatalyticFramework 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/yc2ntkwr is to eliminate #malaria incidence and mortality; end #AIDS as a public health threat; and end #TB deaths and cases. A multisectoral response is needed if we are to achieve the bold target.
8. Investment in #health systems that promote #foodsecurity and routine education on healthy diet intake among people with #tuberculosis in #Africa can significantly improve their quality of life. We need to scale up #TB preventive therapy. Improving infection control measures at all public and private health care facilities is required to prevent TB.
9. Every dollar invested in controlling and eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases #NTDs could produce between $27 to $42 in economic benefits. Accelerated efforts are needed to achieve the #AU #Agenda2063 goal of having healthy and well-nourished citizens in an #Africa, free of all NTDs.
10. Integrating Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health #RMNCAH services including adolescent nutrition is integral to sustaining long-term health outcomes. #YearOfNutrition Nutrition is critical for the well being of adolescents, particularly girls ensuring they reach their full potential
NUTRITION
Messages:
1. Food security and #nutrition are essential to improving individuals’ health and productivity, which enhances the resilience of a country’s economy. Additional efforts are needed to address the root causes of #foodinsecurity and poor nutrition in #Africa.
2. The Cost of Hunger in #Africa (#COHA) Study 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/4nak2dde shows that optimal nutrition results from human and economic development. Economic investments in nutrition interventions should be prioritised as a function of national development.
3. Africa’s share in the world’s #undernourished population decreased from 36% in 1990 to 22% in 2019. Efforts and commitment to prioritise and invest in #nutrition at the continental and national level should be intensified to attain the goals in the #AU #MalaboDeclaration 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/52br4chr which include poverty reduction, ending hunger, and enhancing the resilience of livelihoods and production systems by 2025.
4. @_AfricanUnion commends the work of His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho in sustaining nutrition advocacy in the effort to ensure member states commit adequate financial resources to nutrition interventions #AfricaNutrition #AfricaFoodSecurity
Asset: A photo of His Majesty King Letsie III
5. The @_AfricanUnion encourages strong political commitments and accountability to #NutritionInAfrica as a pathway for improving nutrition and #AfricaFoodSecurity
#Coherentpolicies #governance and #accountability #AUYearOfNutrition
6. #BuildingResilience:The @_AfricanUnion encourages strong human capacities, communities, governments & regional institutions to prevent, anticipate, prepare for, cope with & recover from #FoodInsecurity shocks & not only bounce back to where they were before the shocks occurred
7. Link between #AgricultureAndNutrition:Nutrition sensitive agriculture interventions have a key role to play in improving health and nutrition.Through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme #CAADP AU members states are committed to increase agriculture productivity
8. #FinancingForNutrition: Substantial nutrition investment is a vital component in the fight against #malnutrition @_AfricanUnion encourages Member States to explore the various innovative models available to mobilise funds for nutrition. #AUYearOfNutrition
9. #PromotionOfTrade of agricultural products within member states especially within the framework of @AfCFTA has a big role to play in fighting #malnutrition since it opens markets for #Incomegeneration reduces post-harvest losses, ensures food safety & increase availability of nutrient rich foods.
10. #Evidence, #KnowledgeGeneration and #CapacityBuilding: Evidence and data to inform agriculture, food system, nutrition, health and population programs and interventions is key in addressing #foodsecurity and #malnutrition. #AUYearOfNutrition
11. #CommitmentsToAction: @_AfricanUnion encourages MS to Accelerate efforts to attain ambitious targets set in the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (2016-2030), Malabo Declaration for 2025, World Health Assembly targets & Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030. #AUYearOfNutrition
POPULATION
This presents a unique challenge for the development agenda. Africa’s leaders must be proactive in ensuring it meets the needs of this fast-expanding population.
Messages:
1. With more than a 2.6% growth rate, #Africa will be home to one billion #children by 2050. More people means increasing demand for #governments to provide adequate #healthcare, basic #education, housing, and food security. If gainfully leveraged, it could further strengthen the continent’s human capital and economic progress.
2. The projected increase in # the population in #Africa puts pressure on available resources. Africa needs to be ready to reap the dividends of its #youthful #population to transform it to improve the socio-economic pathway of the continent.
3. The double burden of #malnutrition prevents #children and #adolescents from reaching their full potential and traps entire populations into vulnerability. Our shared aspiration is the #AU #Agenda2063 🔗 https://au.int/en/agenda2063/, which envisions a prosperous #Africa established upon inclusive growth, sustainable #development and well-nourished citizens.
DRUG CONTROL
Developing preventive interventions or models of care that are also cost-effective can significantly reduce the burden on an overstretched health system, particularly in resource-poor settings.
Messages:
1. #Africa now occupies the second position worldwide in the trafficking and consumption of illegal #drugs, reporting about 28 million drug users. There is a need to accelerate access to treatment and prevention services, alongside educating the #youth and communities about the dangers of #drugabuse.
2. #Drug dependence is a diagnosable, treatable medical disorder. Community-level platforms for raising awareness of the severe impact of substance misuse on the individual and society through #community engagement and grassroots dissemination of knowledge can empower the #youth to manage their #health and well-being better independently.
3. Proper #nutrition and hydration are vital to the substance abuse healing process because they help restore physical and mental #health and improve the chance of recovery. Comprehensive nutrition education and counselling programs provided to the substance abuse population have significantly improved recovery rates.
ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Share the posts below with your community, adding the images to bring the message to life!
| OTHER STC WORKING DOCS
| THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF AFRICA’S POLICY DIALOGUES!