Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Dublin for the Global Health Workforce - Pathways to Health Conference

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Honourable Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng attended a two day conference in Dublin, Ireland from 2 – 3 February, 2012. The theme of the Conference was Global Health Workforce – Pathways to Health organised by the Irish Forum for Global Health (IFGH) cognisant of the fact that one of the serious challenges confronting the global health today is the chronic shortage of skilled health personnel especially in remote parts of the world.  

In this conference the Minister chaired the session on Responding to Current Challenges in the Human Resources for Health Crisis; delivered Annual Irish Aid Professor Father Michael Kelly Lecture; and also made a presentation on Strengthening and supporting the health workforce.

In her presentation the Minister demonstrated the enormous impact made by Irish Aid in Lesotho and thus saving lives of the people. She also highlighted the significant milestones achieved in the partnership between the Government of Lesotho, Irish Aid and the Clinton Foundation. These include the Nursing Initiative which increased staffing at the health sectors, Clinical mentoring programme which built the capacity of the Lesotho clinicians, Laboratory Mentoring Programme which saw Lesotho being the first country in Africa to begin a step-wise accreditation programme for laboratories and Village Health Worker Programme which led to the provision of incentives for village health workers. The Minister, as the Vice Chair of the Global Fund further extended her gratitude to Ireland for supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in spite of the current economic challenges.

The Conference was also addressed by the  Minister of State for Trade and Development of Ireland Joe Costello TD who announced that Ireland will be joining the European ESTHER Alliance, a network of Governments working in synergy to tackle HIV/Aids and major diseases and improve women, newborn and children`s health.  This Alliance involves twinning between European hospitals and institutions in developing countries to build capacity to improve health care services.

The Conference was a resounding success attended by renowned Irish and International experts, NGOs, Institutions of Higher learning etc. The Conference was also graced by the legendary South African singer and UNICEF and Roll Back Ambassador and UN Envoy for Africa Yvonne Chaka Chaka.