The World Health Organization has called for greater participation by young Africans in the development of its Regional Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030 and Vision 2035.
The organization said the involvement of young people would help produce health policies that reflect their experiences, priorities and expectations.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, spoke during a Youth Consultative Forum organized to gather views on health promotion, universal health coverage, mental health, digital healthcare, health security and climate change.
He said the proposed strategy, titled A New Era of Health for Africa: United Action for Vision 2035, aims to build a healthier, more resilient and self reliant continent.
The plan aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, domestic health financing and climate resilient healthcare systems.
Ursu said Africa continued to face communicable and non communicable diseases, health emergencies, climate related risks and unequal access to quality care.
At the same time, advances in technology, innovation, community engagement and youth leadership were creating opportunities to improve health outcomes.
The forum, he explained, was organized to obtain direct input from young people and ensure that their experiences influenced regional priorities.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with more than 60 per cent of its people below the age of 25.
The continent’s population is projected to reach approximately 2.5 billion by 2050.
Ursu said the demographic trend created an opportunity to build healthier and more prosperous societies.
He maintained that the potential could only be achieved when young people are included in health planning, decision making and implementation.
