Sanwo-Olu urges African leaders to develop effective health strategy

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday urged African leaders to develop a proactive, resilient, and visionary approach to safeguard the continent’s health.

He made the call at the 10th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the conference by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stressed the need for African leaders to create a forward-thinking health strategy that would tackle current challenges and protect the continent from future health threats.

The governor urged African leaders to strengthen the health systems if the continent must look beyond the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “The state government is actively working on strengthening its biosecurity frameworks, enhancing disease surveillance systems and building a workforce that is prepared for the reality of a post COVID-19 world.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu extends work-from-home policy for another 3 months in Lagos

“We are also committed to advancing local research, developing indigenous technology and supporting domestic production of vaccines and medical supplies.”

The governor said his administration envisioned an Africa that was self-reliant, resilient and a leader in global health.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, urged African countries to participate in the ongoing global Synthetic Biology Research.

Abayomi said an effective multi-agency biosecurity system would assist a country in protecting its citizen’s welfare, natural resources and biodiversity from the harmful effects of pests, diseases, toxins and technology.

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