The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 14, 2021 aimed at intensifying their collaboration and improving access to health services in countries French speakers. Promoting equity in COVID-19 vaccines, fighting malaria and advancing towards universal health coverage are key elements.
The agreement, reached at a ceremony held at WHO headquarters in Geneva, aims to advance the path to universal health coverage, fight malaria and collaborate on the establishment of the WHO Academy, whose goal is to train millions of health workers around the world. COVID-19 control activities will also benefit from support, in particular regarding the promotion of equitable access to vaccines.
« Our actions, carried by this Memorandum, must contribute to the development of social protection and universal access to public health services in the French-speaking world.», Declared Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie. ” It is a fundamental right for individuals and an essential condition for the socio-economic progress of our countries. ».
Ms Mushikiwabo added: “ This memorandum aims to provide political and diplomatic support for the implementation of some of WHO’s priorities. »
(Photos : © OIF / Antoine Tardy)
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, explained that the signing of the Memorandum only strengthened the already strong partnership between WHO and OIF, and that this agreement would play a vital role in the promotion and protection of human health, in particular in the fight against COVID-19.
« The strengthening of relations between the WHO and the OIF comes at a crucial time, as the world needs ever closer collaboration to fight COVID-19 and meet the challenges that arise in terms of health, ranging from malaria to inequitable access to health services Explained Dr Tedros. ” The expansion of universal health coverage and the endowment of current and future health systems with highly qualified health workers are essential steps on which the WHO and the OIF will continue to work hand in hand.».
Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, the OIF will carry out advocacy actions in favor of the promotion and protection of everyone’s fundamental right to health and, in this way, it will support the work of WHO with national, regional and international authorities to make progress towards universal health coverage. The Memorandum of Understanding will put particular emphasis on multilingualism, and in particular the use of the French language in promotional and training materials in the health field. Another key focus is the promotion of health education, especially with regard to sexual and reproductive health.
One of the missions of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), which has 88 member states and governments, is the promotion and protection of fundamental rights, including the right to health. Several resolutions on the matter have been adopted by the Francophonie bodies; the latest is entitled “Living together during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the post-Covid world” and was approved by the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie in November 2020.
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