Achieving health millennium development goals: situation analysis and perspectives in the African Region: report of the Regional Director

Abstract

1. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) put health at the centre of the global and national development agenda. The need for ministries of health to play a leading role in national development efforts has therefore increased significantly. 2. Many countries in the African Region have prepared their development frameworks and instruments incorporating the MDGs. Reports from the countries so far indicate that many can potentially achieve the MDGs; some of the goals have already been met or will be met by 2015. 3. Progress has been slow mainly due to weak health systems and inadequate resources. Other constraints include civil strife, high disease burden, high fertility rates and poor socioeconomic conditions. The challenges are diverse and complex, but they are not insurmountable with the right mix of policies, approaches and emphases on effective implementation by Member States as well as significant support from global partners. 4. The responsibility to achieve, monitor and report progress towards MDGs lies with national governments. However, development partners, including WHO, are urged to provide technical and financial support for scaling up effective interventions and priority programmes, especially those emphasizing Primary Health Care.