Health Program

20-07-2017, Geneva (Switzerland): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on development (IGAD), H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim, held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of Roll Back Malaria, Dr. Kest, in Geneva on July 20th.

Amb Maalim and the members of the IGAD delegation briefed Dr Kest and his management team members about the current health related initiatives at IGAD, including the underway HIV, TB and malaria strategy. The two parties discussed the potential areas of collaboration in this matter and other related issues.

Dr Kest highlighted that a regional approach to the issue of malaria was needed and that it was high time to bring malaria to the top of the regional agenda. He further mentioned that IGAD had a key role to play in provoking the political commitment of Member States. He finally stated the high interest of his organization to work in fruitful partnership with IGAD.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the sub recipient of the IGAD GF Regional TB-HIV grant for Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. The grant agreement was signed between IGAD and UNHCR on 17 July 2017 in Geneva. It is a US$ 2,804,563 grant for 21 months which will be implemented in prioritized 13 refugee camps and settlements aimed at improving the availability and utilization of HIV and TB services through complementing existing UNHCR fund programs. On the behalf of UNHCR, Rosella Pagliuchi-Lor, Director Division of External Relation signed the PR-SR grant agreement and expressed her appreciation to IGAD for having the partnership and supporting TB-HIV programs in refugee camps in the region.

Following the signing of the grant agreement, His excellency, Amb(Eng) Mahboub discussed with Mr George Okoth-Obbo, Assistance High commissioner, UNHCR and other UNHCR officials including the CCRF Director. His excellency, Amb Mahboub, the ES, IGAD, briefed the Assistance Commissioner, UNHCR and other Management team members about the Nairobi Action plan with focus on the progress since March 25 and upcoming process and events. The Assistance Commissioner highlights that IGAD is championing the CCRF and needs to maintain this momentum.

Both parties agreed to strengthen Institutional relationship, share of information on regularly basis, showcase the outcome of the March 2017 summit on the durable solutions to Somalia refugees and stepping up jointly to the South Sudan crisis.

17-07-2017, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning opened the 1st Regional Experts Meeting on Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (MRHI) during an inauguration session chaired by Mr. Abdoulkader Walyei Fato from the Ethiopian Food, Medicine, and Healthcare Administration & Control Authority, and in the presence of the Reproductive Maternal Child Health Coordinator,Dr. Fatuma Adan, and Mr. Abraham Gebregiorgis of the World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva Office.

This two-day meeting is bringing together Experts and officials from IGAD Member States in charge of their respective National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) whose mandate is to guarantee populations’ access to essential quality, safe, and efficacious medicines.

This 1st Experts Meeting is essentially aimed at reviewing and finalizing a draft project proposal for IGAD Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (IGAD-MRH) and establishing and IGAD Expert Committees for the Project.

Speaking on behalf of the Acting Director of the Health & Social Development Director for IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Fatuma noted that “the presence of unregulated Sub-standard, Falsified, and Counterfeit medicines circulating within IGAD member states” was “a serious public health threat which if not prevented and controlled, will undermine confidence in the public healthcare systems and programmes”. She highlighted that IGAD established the MRH Project with support from WHO and the World Bank despite the lack of proper funding within its Directorate.

Dr Fatuma reminded the audience that their inputs to the proposed draft project proposal were essential in view of submitting it the IGAD Heads of National Medicines Regulations Authorities (NMRAs) for ratification and approval in August 2017.

Mr. Gebregiorgis reassured the participants that “at global and regional level, WHO as the technical agency is supporting the regional economic communities medicine regulatory harmonization initiatives and in a broader level the NEPAD African Medicine Regulatory Harmonization”.

The Chair also his opening remarks before declaring the meeting officially open.
The expected meeting outcomes include:
• Draft IGAD-MRH Project Proposal;
• Draft One Year Project activities/work plan;
• Establishment of Expert Committees for IGAD-MRH project;
• Assessment meeting report and recommendations.

Related stories:
• IGAD CLOSES 1ST MEETING ON MEDICINES REGULATION AND HARMONIZATION
• IGAD TO DEVELOP A REGIONAL MEDICINES ASSESSMENT AND REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

28-04-2017, Entebbe, Uganda: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) today closed the First IGAD Committee Meeting on Information Management System and Medicines Assessment and Registration after ten days of intensive work which saw the finalization of recommendations by the Experts and the launch of a web site dedicated to serving as an information management tool for the IGAD Medicines Regulation and Harmonization (HRM) Program.

Attachments:

Final Declaration.pdf

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2017-04-29 19:11

24-04-2017, Entebbe (Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning launched the First Meeting of the Technical Experts Working Group on Medicines Assessment and Registration in Entebbe under the leadership of the Programme Manager of the Health & Social Development, Ms Fathia Alwan, with representatives from the World Bank (WB), the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ethiopia, and Uganda at the high table.

11-4-17  Addis Ababa - The Health and Social Development Section at the IGAD Secretariat  organized a workshop for a regional consultation on a draft framework, coordination, and documentation to identify priority areas for 2018-2020 for TB and HIV, as well as a strategic plan for Malaria.

03-04-2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Members of the National Tuberculosis and HIV Programs from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Member States  together with UNHCR, ARAA and Kenya Red Cross Society are meeting from April 3-4, 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to consult on improving TB and HIV diagnosis, treatment and health information and supply management  services in refugee settings within the IGAD region.

08-12-2016, Addis Ababa: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning opened a Consultative Meeting on the implementation of a grant from the Global Fund against HIV and Tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.