Lagos: A visiting Professor at the Global Public Health University (GPHU), Claire Nelson, has emphasised the urgency for Africa to build a resilient health system for the future. Nelson, a Jamaican, made this known at the inauguration of the GPHU 'Faculty for the Future' to Advance Africa's Health Agenda 2063 in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, GPHU, an offshoot of LiveWell Initiative (LWI), is designed to align health education and innovation with the African Union's Agenda 2063. Nelson highlighted the need for Africa to rethink its healthcare by focusing on people, culture, and community rather than relying on foreign models.
Nelson also addressed the potential of traditional African medicine, encouraging universities and research institutions to validate and integrate indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream healthcare. She pointed out that with Africa's youthful population-70 per cent under the age of 30-it is vital to prepare for an inclusive and resilient health future.
She advocated for strategic foresight and future literacy in shaping public health systems, suggesting an integrated approach that includes ecological, economic, and cultural ecosystems. However, Nelson cautioned that technological advances such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, while promising, also present ethical, social, and regulatory challenges.
Nelson, who is the Founder of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, urged African nations to establish strong legal and institutional safeguards to prevent future exploitation and dependency. She also encouraged leveraging GPHU as a platform for exploring decentralised care models and forward-thinking curricula.
Dr. Bisi Bright, CEO of LiveWell Initiative and Provost of GPHU, described the unveiling of the Faculty for the Future as a pivotal moment for the university. Bright recounted GPHU's origins, inspired by the former Global Health Mini-University hosted by George Washington University and USAID, leading to the development of a homegrown alternative.
Bright highlighted GPHU's evolution from an academy to a university, committed to driving future-proof education and public health leadership in Africa. She emphasized the importance of digital transformation and value-based care, urging Nigerians to upskill in emerging technologies.
Additionally, Ituah Ighodalo, Pastor and Founder of Trinity House Church in Lagos, in his goodwill message, urged African leaders to adopt intentional thinking and long-term planning. Ighodalo stressed the importance of being prepared for the future.