Health and Human Services: U.S. Engagement in Africa

On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, Dr. Jeffrey Sturchio, President and CEO of Rabin Martin chaired a working group discussion with Dr. Samuel Adeniyi-Jones, Director, Africa Region at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Other members of the team included Park, Senior Policy Analyst and coordinator of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Jose Fernandez, Global Health Security Agenda Team Leader, and Dr. Elana Clarke, Senior Global Health Officer for Africa. The focus of the discussion was HHS’ engagement with Africa, as well as how the private sector can engage with African governments in the healthcare industry, in areas including global health security and preventing outbreaks within the African region.Dr. Adeniyi-Jones began his remarks by explaining the intricate relationships with African governments, NGOs, civil society, bilateral and multilateral institutions. The HHS Africa Regional Office provides essential diplomatic support for HHS’ work with sub-Saharan Africa. They maintain and strengthen relationships with sub-Saharan African governments, particularly Ministries of Health, and align their efforts with partners from multilateral organizations, country governments and non-governmental organizations in order to protect and promote health and wellbeing across Africa. HHS coordinates with the WHO Africa Regional Office (AFRO) on disease outbreak response, the African Union (AU) and various other regional health organizations on the continent. The team includes both individuals in Washington D.C. as well as a Health Attaché based in Pretoria, South Africa. With respect to working with the African Union, HHS has successfully implemented the African Centre for Disease Control.Dr. Adeniyi-Jones identified challenges that HHS confronts in coordination when working in the U.S. interagency process with respect to management and the implementation of programs; as well as the difficulties in coordinating responses to disease outbreaks. On the African side, he stated that African governments must provide support to their healthcare systems and be willing and able to make changes, if necessary. He strongly emphasized that the “initial move from countries makes a big difference” in terms of outcomes.Dr. Adeniyi-Jones stated the importance of engaging with both the U.S. and African private sectors to advance healthcare systems in Africa. Moreover, this relationship benefits the U.S. since “lessons learned” might be applicable in the United States.Photo:From L to R: Patricia Sheikh, CCA, Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio, Rabin Martin, Dr. Samuel Adeniyi-Jones, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services