Thursday, 19th September 2024

Patricia Scotland calls for resilient health infrastructure in Commonwealth at 34th CHMM

Friday, 20th May 2022

Patricia Scotland calls out inequalities in health sector during the CHMM
Secretary General of Commonwealth Patricia Scotland called for resilient health infrastructure in the Commonwealth during the 34th Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting (CHMM) . She also talked about inequalities related to vaccines and stated that 40% population in the Commonwealth are yet to receive a single dose of COVID-19 vaccines, and in some African countries, the vaccine rates are lower than 15%.  The 34th Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting (CHMM) concluded on Saturday with ministers urging states to establish sustainable and resilient health systems that can weather future crises while advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals toward global health security. Secretary General of Commonwealth Patricia Scotland stated that health ministers discussed pressing issues such as post-COVID recovery plans, financing & building resilient health systems & vaccine equity. "Now more than ever, we need to work together to make the healthy, prosperous Commonwealth we want," Patricia Scotland Tweeted.  "I welcome the adoption of the #CHMM ministerial statement and look forward to working together with the CHMM Chair, @ChrisTufton, to implement the policy proposals and recommendations as we head into #CHOGM2022 and the Kigali Summit on #Malaria & NTDs," she further added. 

[embed]https://twitter.com/PScotlandCSG/status/1527341981181296640[/embed]

Furthermore, she stated that coronavirus continues to create a significant crisis in the world, as exposed the intrinsic weaknesses and unjustnesses in the health systems – as a Commonwealth and as a global society.

[embed]https://twitter.com/PScotlandCSG/status/1527341995001204746[/embed]

She stated that it is very important to vaccinate at least 70% population of every Commonwealth country to achieve health goals. During the CHMM, the 2022 Commonwealth Malaria Report was launched, which provides a clear picture of the state of Malaria and a snapshot of challenges and progress being made to meet targets in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 34th edition was held under the theme, 'The Road to COVID-19 Recovery: Lessons Learnt for Building Health System Resilience to advance UHC and Global Health Security in the Commonwealth'.  Besides this, following the conclusion of their annual meeting, Commonwealth health ministers made a joint statement on post-COVID recovery efforts.