President Paul Kagame has called for increased domestic financing for health on the African continent saying its good value for money. This, he said, would strengthen the capacity of the health system to respond to a range of ailments from tropical diseases to pandemics such as Covid-19. Kagame was speaking at the official launch of the World Health Organization’s Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) for 2021-2030. The roadmap outlines global targets to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate a diverse set of 20 diseases and diseases groups as well as proposes strategies for attaining targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals over the next decade. Speaking at the virtual launch, Kagame said that investing in health is good value for money making a case for increased domestic financing for health, especially on the continent. “Domestic health financing is a priority for the African Union, and progress is being tracked across member states on an annual basis,” he said. Commenting on the quest to end Neglected Tropical Diseases, the Head of State said that historically, the ailments have been neglected because often, they happen to be endemic to poor countries. He, however, observed that the diseases cause pain and long-term disability as well as prevent children from reaching their full potential both cognitively and physically. “It is very important that the international community is rallying around this agenda for a decade of action to achieve Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. Locally, Kagame said that Rwanda has integrated Neglected Tropical Diseases medication into the national supply chain down to the community level which has seen significant progress. Rwanda is in the process of certifying the eradication of sleeping sickness. “The fight against NTDs is part of the broader agenda to strengthen national health systems & achieve Universal Health Coverage. The health systems that serve to combat pandemics such as Covid-19 or HIV/AIDS are the same institutions that lead the campaign against NTDs. Investing in health is very good value for money,” he said. The virtual event featured different panels and interactive discussions with African Heads of State and Government, representatives of international health organizations and other stakeholders.
