African Summit on HIV/AIDS, TB and other Infectious Diseases
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24-27 April 2001
Abuja, Nigeria
Background
Over the years, a lot of commitments have been made by Member States
of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in attempts to control
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. However, most
of the commitments have not been translated into concrete actions and
the diseases continue to constitute a big challenge for the conti-
nent. Stakeholders have also realized that leadership, commitment,
resources and poverty alleviation are the key to control of infec-
tious diseases in Africa. In this light, OAU Heads of State and Gov-
ernment at their annual ordinary assembly at Lome, Togo in July 2000;
took a decision to hold an African Summit on HIV/AIDS, TB and related
infectious diseases and accepted Nigeria's offer to host it.
Several Decisions, Declarations, Recommendations of Heads of State
and Government and other organs of the OAU have been made on the is-
sues of Africa's health epidemics. These include:
- The 1987 Declaration on Health as a Foundation for development.
- The 1992, 1994, 1995. 2000 Declarations on control of HIV/AIDS in
Africa.
- 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999 Resolutions of Conferences of
African Ministers of Health.
- The Lome Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
- The 2000 Lome Decision on the holding of this African Summit.
- The Declarations and Action Plans drawn up at the African Develop-
ment Forum (ADF) in December 2000 on AIDS and the Leadership Chal-
lenge for Africa
Challenges to Implementing previous commitments
Many have been identified at individual, community, national and in-
ternational level and include:
a. Lack of commitment
b. Denial
c. Stigmatization
d. Poverty
e. Lack of human and financial resources
f. Poor health systems
g. Programmes externally driven and not sustainable
h. Over centralization
i. Civil unrest and armed conflicts
j. Poor planning
k. Poor feedback
l. Lack of follow-up
m. Donor fatigue
n. Regulations that result in delays or high taxes etc.
Source: OUA website <http://oau-oua.org/afrisummit>
Summit Information:
Secretariat Address:
Adamawa Meeting Room
NICON Hilton Hotel
Central Area
Abuja
Tel: +234-9-413-1811 -40
Tel: +234-9-413-7361
Summit Co-ordinator:
Dr. M.A Nasidi
Director - Special Duties
Federal Ministry of Health
Room 334, 3rd Floor
Federal Secretariat
Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: +234-9-523-5692-8, 523-0573,
mailto:nasidia@hotmail.com
Summit e-mail <abjsummit@skannet.com>
Website http://www.oau-oua.org/afrisummit
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