Parliamentarians from across Africa are considering a historic resolution to promote the right to health and achieve targets on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other health emergencies, such as cervical cancer and hepatitis.
Michel Sidibé, the UNAIDS Executive Director, addressed the Pan African Parliament on 9 May to urge its members to express their firm commitment and determination to end the AIDS epidemic and deliver on the Abuja Declaration and the plan of action on achieving health targets in Africa. The plan of action resulted from a high-level parliamentary meeting convened in October 2017 by UNAIDS in partnership with the Pan African Parliament and the African Union.
“A Pan African Parliament resolution will help to achieve health targets in Africa. Parliamentarians, as champions in their communities, can help achieve these targets,” said Mr Sidibé.
The final decision of the parliament will be confirmed after the sixth ordinary session of the fourth parliament concludes on 18 May. The resolution will be the first of its kind for the Pan African Parliament since it commenced in 2004.
“AIDS is not over. We need to reach everyone who does not yet know that they are HIV-positive,” said Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa.
