Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah SC, JA, (Retired) has urged African countries to invest more in health research and innovation, saying the continent should reduce its dependence on medicines, research and healthcare solutions developed elsewhere.
Speaking at Kalipano Hotel in Dowa during the opening of the Global Association of Clinical Officer and Physician Associates (GACOPA) Southern Africa Conference and the Physician Associates Union of Malawi (PAUM) Biannual Conference, Ansah said government is committed to creating a conducive working environment for health personnel.
She said challenges facing health workers, including long working hours, psychological pressure and inadequate protective equipment, require practical interventions to improve their welfare and the quality of healthcare services.
Ansah challenged delegates to develop practical solutions through research, innovation and community engagement, stressing that innovation does not always require expensive machinery.
She said healthcare professionals can also innovate by finding smarter, locally appropriate and affordable ways of addressing challenges affecting patients and health facilities.
The Vice President also emphasised the importance of strengthening research capacity in Africa so that countries can develop solutions that respond directly to their own healthcare needs.
She later told local media that the conference was important for strengthening healthcare delivery, research and working conditions for health professionals in Malawi and across the Southern African Development Community.
Ansah also received awards recognising her leadership and public service during the conference.
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