• Guterres commends Ethiopia’s reforms
ADDIS ABABA–President Sahle-Work Zewde said strong political commitment is important for the expansion of health service coverage, FBC reported.
The President made the remark while addressing the UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
In her address, the President shared Ethiopia’s commitment to the right of all people to access quality health care regardless of their ability to pay and economic circumstances.
She further said Ethiopia has invested a significant amount of investment on the health sector by engaging relevant sectors in integrated way.
The President also explained Ethiopia’s big effort and its to success.
She said Ethiopia has been undertaking reforms to upgrade health systems and develop sustainable financing towards Universal Health Coverage.
The theme of the meeting is ‘Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World.’
This year’s meeting will be the last chance before 2023, the mid-point of the SDGs, to mobilize the highest political support to package the entire health agenda under the umbrella of UHC, and sustain health investments in a harmonized manner.
The President also called on Africans to commit themselves to heighten their efforts to align and integrate the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She urged Africans to take the driver seat in the implementation of the SDGs.
Meanwhile, the President also met with the United Nations’ Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The President and Guterres held a bilateral meeting.
During the talks, the Secretary General reaffirmed his appreciation to Ethiopia’s reforms and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s mediation in the Sudan.
Guterres also emphasized the need to pursue the same with South Sudan.
The Ethiopian President for her part highlighted the success of political, legal and economic reforms the country witnessed over the last year and a half.
She also reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to support the peace process in South Sudan and the peaceful settlement of the situation between Eritrea and Djibouti.
President Sahle-Work, a former member of Senior UN leadership, expressed pleasure at re-engaging with the UN in her capacity as Head of State.
She further promised to positively consider the Secretary General’s invitation to join his circle of leadership on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Ethiopian Herald Sept 25 /2019
