The French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children’s Ninth Annual International Scientific Conference on Saturday focused on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)–3 (Good Health and Well-Being) as well as the United Nation’s theme for 2019 World Health Day Celebration (Universal Health Coverage Every One Everywhere), while problematizing trends and dimensions of healthcare in the context of Afghanistan.
This year’s conference witnessed Minister of Public Health, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz, join doctors, nurses, academia and policy experts from public and private sectors, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Aga Khan University, La Chaîne de l’Espoir and World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss potential solutions with immediate and long-term impact on Afghanistan’s healthcare service delivery and infrastructure.
During the conference, a total of 107 scientific papers were presented wherein over 300 participants were in attendance. The conference was also attended by representatives from ministries, diplomatic community, AKDN agencies, national and international NGOs, civil society, healthcare providers and media representatives from across Afghanistan.
The one-day conference generated academic discussions on Governance, Population and Public Health; Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health; Clinical Practices; Technology, Research and innovation; Non-Communicable Diseases; Quality, Nursing and Allied Health.
Speakers highlighted FMIC’s initiatives and contribution to improve healthcare in Afghanistan through clinical services and medical education, including Post Graduate Medical Education, eLearning, and other training opportunities for nurses, doctors, and researchers.
Speakers also stated that, multi-stakeholder partnership is instrumental for exchanging knowledge, expertise, as well as technological and financial resources in a bid to evolve better health care system accessible for all in line with the SDGs. They reiterated that such academic events can help Afghanistan’s health sector in identifying areas that deserve concentrated attention, especially maternal and child health. It was indicated by the speakers that with the partners like, Government of Afghanistan, AKDN, French Government, and Government of Canada we can work in close coordination with other development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, international communities, academia, media and all relevant stakeholders to improve health status for all. Speakers also emphasized on promoting culture of research, knowledge cultivation and evidence-based practices in healthcare delivery, with synergy of efforts amongst stakeholders in providing better health and reaching everyone everywhere in the country. It was mentioned by the conference speakers that: such a scientific event provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of researchers in the improvement of health and well-being of people in Afghanistan.
The event was sponsored by Health Action Plan for Afghanistan (HAPA) – a consortium consisting of Government of Canada, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Aga Khan Foundation, Canada.
