The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with Tshiamiso Trust, the Department of Health South Africa; Medical Bureau of Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and the Compensation Commissioner of Occupational Diseases (CCOD), convened the Kujenga Workshop on 28 March – 01 April 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Three institutions came together, AUDA-NEPAD, Tshiamiso Trust, MBOD/CCOD, with support from the World Bank and the Global Fund, to present a united front in the fight against TB and occupational diseases in the SADC region towards realising national, regional, and international targets.

The opening ceremony of the five-day workshop held in Cape Town South Africa was attended by the Honourable Deputy Minister of the Department of Health of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo who delivered the keynote speech. The Deputy Minister outlined the importance of prioritising the health of African workers, as well as how the creation of an Occupational Health Centre Blueprint would play a pivotal role in correcting the imbalances of the past.

The workshop which is appropriately named ‘Kujenga,’ meaning ‘building, to construct, to build’ in Swahili, brought together experts and stakeholders to work in creating a blueprint that will contribute to sustainable, innovative, comprehensive and harmonised occupational health services, which can be implemented and mobilised as a fully-fledged sustainable OHC in various African Union Member States.

Tshiamiso Trust CEO, Mr Daniel Kotton stated that every effort has been taken at the workshop to make sure concrete and detailed plans are put in place to ensure occupational health services are more accessible to the most vulnerable.

AUDA-NEPAD Principal Policy Specialist, Ms Chimwemwe Chamdimba concluded by saying that the workshop was successful in defining an ideal blueprint structure that will be used in strengthening partnerships. She reiterated the importance of countries being at the forefront and taking ownership of the intervention to ensure sustainability.

“The sustainability of any developments in the region, including occupational safety and health, occupational health service centers, or tuberculosis investments, can only be realised when there is comprehensive and sound strategic direction, OSH policies, and guidelines, which employees, government, and employers can implement,” said Ms Chamdimba

Contact:

Ms Buhle Hlatshwayo Policy Advocacy Officer

African Union Development Agency -NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) Email: buhleh@nepad.org