AFRIHEALTH CHIEF FLAGS OFF YEAR-LONG DIALOGUE ON HEALTH, CLIMATE, SDGs
By Our Correspondent, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer of the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has called for urgent integration of health and climate policies as the organisation launched its 52-week “Life & Health” Dialogue Series in Abuja.
Speaking at the inaugural session themed “Overview of Global Health, Climate Crises, SDGs, and Agenda 2030,” Dr. Adirieje warned that Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden of climate-related health risks, including food insecurity, water scarcity, and fragile health systems.
According to him, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) cannot be realized in isolation, stressing that it must be closely linked with other global goals on food systems, water access, inequality reduction, sustainable cities, and climate action.
“Health and climate action are inseparable. The realities we face today demand coordinated responses that cut across sectors and disciplines,” he said.
The Dialogue Series, convened by AHOA, is designed as a high-level, year-long platform bringing together civil society leaders, academics, policymakers, and development practitioners from across Africa and beyond to address the growing intersection of global health and climate challenges.
The opening session, moderated by Frank Assimbo Bonowale of Ghana, featured contributions from international experts, including Dr. Anima Sharma (India), Prof. Tony Danso-Appiah of the University of Ghana, and representatives from Kenya, Togo, and Nigeria.
Participants highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient health systems, expansion of universal health coverage, and stronger policy coherence across the health, environment, and development sectors. They also underscored the importance of partnerships involving governments, the private sector, and civil society, alongside increased youth engagement and investment in digital innovation.
The forum further examined Africa’s place in the global economy, referencing opportunities such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), while calling for greater investment in education, research, and value addition to drive sustainable development.
Dr. Adirieje noted that outcomes from the weekly sessions would be translated into policy recommendations and actionable strategies aligned with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and African Union Agenda 2063.
He added that the initiative reflects AHOA’s commitment to advancing evidence-based dialogue and strengthening Africa’s response to interconnected development challenges.
The Dialogue Series will run throughout 2026, covering 52 thematic sessions, with the next discussion scheduled to focus on “Universal Health Coverage and Climate Resilience.”
AHOA is a pan-African civil society organisation working at the intersection of health, climate, and development policy, with a focus on promoting health equity, climate justice, and accountable governance.
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