AFRICAN HOPE COMMITTEE ATTENDED THE FIRST LADIES HEALTH SUMMIT IN LOS ANGELES
The first-ever U.S.-based, summit, “Leadership for Health,” was hosted by US Doctors for Africa (USDFA) in Los Angeles, California, April 20-21, 2009. And the group did not disappoint. They walked down red carpets, on stylish suits and colorful African wraps. For many of those present at the Summit, the impression often created that a good number of these First Ladies were only interested in shopping and shaking people hands. This was the opposite as they got down to business presenting detailed reports and action plan to combat maternal death, malaria, TB , HIV/AIDS. These ladies exhibited first hand knowledge of the issues on the ground. Calling out to experts and donors for help. Unlike many other Summits, the First Ladies Health Summit did not set goals nor concentrate on describing the magnitude of problems bedeviling Africa, but rather the pragmatics of how to effect change and give better lives to women, young girls and children in Africa.
Ted Alemayhu, ED of USDFA and AHC’s ED Clarisse Fall
This two-day summit, focused on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and girls’ education. The summit was hosted by USDFA, a non-profit organization that unites the African and American medical communities in a shared fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. This alliance of 22 first ladies, known as African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, formed in 2002 with the aim of “pooling our efforts for more concerted and concrete action to alleviate suffering” and fighting HIV/AIDS throughout Africa. Collaborations to date include the opening of maternal health clinics, HIV treatment centers, orphan care programs and vocational training schools in Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Mali and Cameroon; as well as numerous other initiatives and advocacy efforts throughout all 22 member countries.
Recommendation included going back and seeing where African mothers and young girls gibe birth and make changes. Increase safety during child birth; combat factors causing maternal birth such as bleeding, ecclesia; increase prevention; focus on health care and people, increase competence, confidence and connectivity and calling on to people when there is a complication and last increase quality facility health care and provide the best health care to women, young girls and children.
“As an African woman, this is really exciting and motivating,” said Clarisse Mefotso Fall. “For me this is really about finding out how we can support the first ladies to improve women and young girls lives in Africa.”
Plans for the event included a fundraiser with a performance by Natalie Cole and a luncheon hosted by California first lady Maria Shriver. The summit concluded with a gala reception at the Beverly Hilton with a silent auction and actors like Jessica Alba, Blair Underwood, Natalie Cole, Naomie Campbell, Paris Hilton and other celebrities.
African Hope Committee (AHC), Inc., is a 501(c) 3 non-profit community based organization in Harlem that provides direct assistance through outreach, education, counseling and referral services to the African Immigrant population in the New York Metropolitan area
Bringing Hope and Opportunity to all Immigrant communities.
please call AHC at 212.862.9010 or e mail at info@afriquehope.org, visit: www.afriquehope.org
