What: Kujenga Workshop - Creating an Ideal Occupational Health Centre (OHC) blueprint

When: 28 March – 01 April 2022

Where: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Cape Town, South Africa

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

The opening ceremony of the 5-day workshop held in Cape Town South Africa will be attended by the Honourable Deputy Minister of the Department of Health: Republic of South Africa; Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo who will deliver the keynote speech, as well as the Director-General of the Department of Health Dr Sandile Buthelezi. The Kujenga workshop is aimed at creating an ideal Occupational Health Centre (OHC) blueprint which can be implemented and mobilised as a fully-fledged sustainable OHC in various African Union (AU) Member States. Key experts and stakeholders will be coming together to work in creating a blueprint that will contribute to sustainable, innovative, comprehensive and harmonised occupational health services. The workshop is therefore duly and appropriately named ‘Kujenga’,meaning ‘building, to construct, to build’ in Swahili. Three institutions have come 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 sustainability of any developments in the region, including occupational safety and health (OSH), occupational health service centers (OHSCs), 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.

Health is an important priority for achieving the first aspiration of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: “A Prosperous Africa, based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.” The Africa Health Strategy and Catalytic Framework to end AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030 are crucial policy frameworks for attaining this target. A sound and healthy working population is an antidote to tones of problems plunging the continent into conflicts, poverty, and diseases.

Media Focal Point:
Ms Buhle Hlatshwayo - Policy Advocacy Officer African Union Development Agency -NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) Email: buhleh@nepad.org. Tel: 0818263858 For more info visit: Kujenga Workshop | AUDA-NEPAD