24 August 2021 – WHO Representative Dr Ni’ma Saeed Abd met on 17 August with H.E. Adrian Norfolk, the Canadian Ambassador in Khartoum, to discuss the joint collaboration between WHO and Government of Canada in supporting Sudan to accelerate progress towards attaining universal health coverage (UHC) and health security.
In March 2021, WHO and the Government of Canada (Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development) signed a grant agreement to the amount of 30.38 million Canadian dollars to support countries most in need in delivering stronger and more resilient primary health care (PHC) and essential health services during the COVID-19 response and recovery process.
The grant covers 10 countries, including Sudan. It focuses on an equity-oriented, gender-responsive and human rights-based approach, in order to reach more disadvantaged populations who are at risk of being left behind. It is implemented under the leadership of the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership network—one of WHO’s largest platforms for international cooperation on UHC and PHC. This effort aims to respond to the needs and gaps identified by countries and supports the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, highlighting the urgency of maintaining essential health services and systems.
“The WHO country office in Sudan welcomes this timely contribution and partnership from Canada. In spite of the challenges brought about by COVID-19, the Government is focused on empowering the health sector, strengthening the health system and ensuring access to high-quality health care services, with primary health care as the backbone of health care delivery. We continue to work hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan to ensure that more people can access good quality health services when they need it, without causing them to experience financial hardship, which is the core vision of universal health coverage,” said Dr Nima Saeed Abid, WHO Representative in Sudan.
“Canada welcomes the partnership with WHO country office in Sudan to support the Government of Sudan’s delivery of essential services and PHC in the context of COVID-19 response and recovery. This support complements the existing efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure equitable access to quality health care to the Sudanese people,” said H.E. Adrian Norfolk, Canada’s Ambassador to Sudan.
Bridging global commitments with national priorities
Canada’s contribution also enhances collaboration among the 13 multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies working together under the frame of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3-GAP) to better support countries in accelerating progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Primary Health Care Accelerator is among the 7 accelerator areas under the Global Action Plan.
A contribution to the Joint Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction also complements this work by undertaking formative research to identify and analyze specific innovations and modifications made by countries to ensure continued access to and delivery of health services.
More about Canada’s funding support to WHO is available at: WHO Programme Budget Portal.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Sara El Nagar
Assistant, WHO Representative’s Office in Sudan
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