The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hon. Mémounatou Ibrahima has described robust health and education policies as central to development within the regional bloc.
Ibrahima who spoke during an opening speech at a delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament joint committee in Conakry, Republic of Guinea reeled out limited resources, inadequate health infrastructure, and health disparities as possible challenges member states are confronted with.
“The ECOWAS plays a vital role in coordinating health policies among its member states.
“However, these states continually grapple with challenges such as epidemic management, coordination between countries, and training of health professionals.
“It is imperative that we work together to address these challenges and ensure that our citizens have access to quality healthcare and education,” Ibrahima advised.
Ibrahima highlighted the significance of health education, stating, “Health education is a fundamental preventive tool aimed at reducing premature mortality related to diseases and accidents, often associated with behaviors and lifestyles.
“By investing in health education, we can empower our citizens to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.”
The ECOParl Speaker expressed gratitude to the Guinean authorities for their warm welcome, saying, “I would like to express my gratitude to the highest authorities of this brotherly country for the very warm, typically African welcome we have received since our arrival on Guinean soil.
“We are confident that this meeting will be a success and will contribute to the development of our region,”she enthused.
