Health experts and Academia meet to discuss implementation of SDGs

African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation together (ACHEST) with International Development Research Centre (IDRC) convened a two days Regional Consultation of health Think Tanks and academia on the fast tracking the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and public policy for better health outcomes in Eastern and Southern Africa.
The consultation meeting that ran from 13th to 14th October 2016 at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala brought together high-level delegates in the category of health experts, heads of policy research institutions, academia and media from the eight countries including: Canada, Ghana, Zambia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The objectives of the think tank consultation meeting were; to learn from each other about the SDG implementation at the national, regional and global level; share information on the roles played by policy-research institutions in the different countries, explore ways in which policy-research institutions would like to position themselves for future ongoing health-related SDG implementation efforts.
“I see Think Tanks as institutions with potential to improve performance of our health systems. At the present, there is a huge implementation gap in many countries between what we aim to achieve and what we routinely attain. Through the streamlining of evidence into policies and programs, we should be able to ensure that we have quality in what we do and so that our performance is continuously improved and our targets are achieved and exceeded.” The Hon. Minister for Primary Health Care, Dr. Joyce Kaducu Moriku said this while opening the regional consultation meeting.

It is for these reasons that I welcome the entry of Health Policy Think Tanks and Academic Institutions that have a key role to play by providing essential and much needed health metrics that measure status and progress across the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development and identify bottlenecks that impede progress, she added.

While delivering a speech on behalf of Hon. Sam Kutesa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Arthur Kafeero noted that nearly a year ago, the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders adopted to guide global development efforts over the next 15 years was a historic outcome and a fitting culmination of one of the most participatory and inclusive processes in the history of the United Nations.

Ambassador kafeero further noted that the health sector, for instance, now has 8.9% share of the budget, with an increment of over Ugshs 600bn compared to the previous financial year. While this is still below the target of 15% agreed by African Union Heads of State in the 2001 Abuja Declaration, it is a significant improvement. The challenge is to ensure that resources are optimally utilized to achieve better service delivery and health outcomes. In this regard, this regional consultation provides a valuable opportunity for sharing of views and practical experiences on priority actions that can be taken.

Simon Carter, the IDRC Regional Director, Canada emphasized the efforts of IDRC on health systems strengthening in delivering maternal and child health, improving governance and implementing the work through Think Tanks whom he referred to as knowledge brokers.

Prof. Francis Omaswa, the Executive Director of ACHEST noted that Think Tanks have a liberty to speak their minds and should leverage that into constructive evidence and starting strong with the SDGs in the 1000 critical days of implementation.
Meanwhile on Dr. Peter Taylor of IDRC part, he pointed out the need for Think Tanks to step out into the gap that has been identified and work to be seen as institutions that can fill the identified policy and advocacy gaps in the implementation of the SDGs. He also mentioned that many institutions close down because they do not get funding, but Think Thanks should position themselves effectively and strategically to mobilize resources.

The meeting came up with a technical working group comprising of one representative from the eight countries that were represented at the consultation meeting that will continue to engage on the implementation of SDGs.