From January 28 to 29, a forum was jointly organized by two major healthcare sector labor unions in Niger , the Unique Labor Union of Health and Social Action (SUSAS) and the Labor Union of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dental Surgeons (SYNPHAMED). The forum’s main objective was to strengthen health policy dialogue.
The forum included participants of the Ministry of Health, the labor unions, associations of healthcare professionals, journalists, and civil society, including users’ associations and partners. The participants came not only from the central level but all the regions as well.
The Minister for Public Health, his Excellence Mano Aghali, expressed satisfaction with the initiative of both labor unions in organizing the meeting, which reinforced union activities. He underlined the excellent relations between his ministerial department and civil society generally and the healthcare labor unions. This positive collaboration strengthens health policy dialogue, and creates and develops a reliable climate necessary for the development of the sector.
The WHO Representative also congratulated both labor unions for jointly organizing this important activity. The national health authorities had made a commitment to strengthen health policy dialogue, to gather the energies necessary to accelerate progress towards achieving the objectives of the Health Development Plan 2011-2015 and the MDGs on the horizon in 2015. He underlined the relevance of this event, which strengthens and assists the Ministry for Public Health in the implementation of universal health coverage and quality services.
The General Secretaries of both labor unions reaffirmed their availability to accompany the government in its efforts to improve the population’s health through the strengthening of a constructive dialogue.
Recommendations stemming from debates were formulated by the participants. A road map for carrying out the main recommendations was elaborated and will be jointly implemented and followed by the Ministry of Public Health and both labor unions.