Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has been appointed to co-chair a High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth with French President François Hollande.
The Presidency on Monday said President Zuma was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who is establishing the commission to stimulate the creation of new employment opportunities in the health sector across all countries, especially in least developed countries.
“I am humbled by [the] invitation for me to serve as co-chair of this commission with President Hollande,” said President Zuma.
The focus of the commission, said the President, goes to the heart of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted in September last year, and which could go a long way to address the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Two preparatory meetings involving experts are expected to take place in the run-up to the formal launch of the commission in Lyon, France, on 23 March 2016.
A second meeting of the commission is expected to take place in New York in September this year, on the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The commission is expected to submit its report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by 31 December 2016.
Health workforce shortages are a particular challenge for all developing countries, including South Africa.
Said President Zuma: “I welcome and appreciate this opportunity to work with my co-chair and the other vice-chairpersons and commissioners to help make a difference in the lives of people everywhere, particularly in developing countries where women and youth continue to carry a disproportionate burden brought about by poverty, unemployment and inequality.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 45 million job opportunities will be created in the health sector by 2030, due to a number of factors, including population growth and an ageing health workforce.
However, these jobs will mostly be created in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and emerging economies. This will result in a shortage of 18 million qualified health professionals that are needed in low and middle income countries.
This mismatch poses a threat to the stability of health systems and global health security. The commission will therefore consider, in particular, the considerable need for health professionals in middle and low income countries.
It is expected that this initiative by the United Nations will increase health security worldwide and promote inclusive economic growth, and in doing so, help to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
President Zuma and President Hollande will be supported by three vice-chairs, namely WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chang, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder.
The Presidency said 23 commissioners representing governments, business and civil society from all over the world have also been nominated to enrich the deliberations of the commission.
Among them are the African Union Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and former African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka. - SAnews.gov.za
