8th Conference on Violence Prevention and Safety Promotion, Durban
5 April 2006
Programme Director,
Honourable delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
South Africa is proud to have had an opportunity to host this very important
conference which is held for the first time in the continent of Africa.
The discussions and synthesis that have taken place here have emphasised the
need to focus on correcting the inequities that exist in our society. It has
been demonstrated that these inequities contribute to some of the underlying
factors that breed violence, injuries and premature deaths.
It is unfortunate that Africa is experiencing an increase in the burden of
violence and injuries. Trauma is putting undue strain on our public health
systems and has a detrimental effect on the socio economic status of our
populations.
My colleagues the Ministers of Health and their representatives from almost
40 countries in the African region have made a firm commitment in a statement,
which I hope you have all had access to. We have committed ourselves to ensure
that we give this area of prevention of violence and injuries the necessary
priority in our planning and development of health programmes.
We also committed to participate actively in addressing the factors that
perpetrate violence and injuries including the resolution of conflict.
Presentations here have illustrated the fact that prevention programmes that
use a multi disciplinary strategy including education, environmental
modification and legislation are effective in many high income countries.
However, we do not have sufficient information on the effectiveness of these
interventions in addressing the unique problems in developing countries. Many
of the programmes used in high income countries have yet to be tested in low
and middle income countries.
Many papers presented at this Conference have confirmed that a public health
approach is necessary in promoting the prevention of violence and injuries. The
challenge now is to ensure that there is a balance in the prioritisation of
public health programmes that respond to the competing health needs of
populations.
We have to ensure that programmes on violence and injury prevention receive
the necessary attention as these health challenges are amongst the main causes
of death and ill-health in our society.
Chairperson, Africa is facing a major challenge of underdevelopment and
poverty which increases the vulnerability of our communities to various health
and social challenges.
We are currently experiencing a triple burden of disease. There is a huge
burden of communicable disease such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV and
AIDS, which the world health response has tended to focus on.
The chronic diseases of lifestyle are escalating in our continent without
much global attention. This conference has highlighted injuries, disabilities
and mortality associated with various forms of violence as a major public
health problem.
Yesterday, a speaker from WHO/AFRO correctly raised the issue of the
mal-distribution and imbalance in the allocation of resources to address major
public health problems. Donors and governments alike should begin to rethink
their prioritisation mechanisms and to pay due regard to all health
problems.
I trust that the efforts by governments to balance the allocation of
resources will receive support of various sectors including the research
community, non-governmental sector and international organisations. Let us all
work together to end the unnecessary suffering and deaths that happen everyday
because of injuries and violence.
The plenary session which I attended yesterday highlighted the importance of
a number of interventions including:
* Coordination and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts,
* Development of road infrastructure,
* Effective public transport systems,
* Education of road users versus both motorists and pedestrians,
* Improved access to emergency medical care,
* And development of integrated information systems.
The range of presentations signifies the urgent work that needs to be done
through inter-sectoral collaboration at all levels. Working jointly with other
South African government departments, civil society and World Health
Organisation (WHO) local office, the Department of Health has developed the
inter-sectoral strategy on the prevention of violence in South Africa which
will soon be presented before our Cabinet for adoption.
The strategy addresses particularly transport accidents, homicide and
suicide as the main causes of non-natural death in the country. It also
provides a framework for coordination of various interventions that are
currently being implemented by various government departments to address the
challenge of non-natural deaths in the country. As we conclude this session I
would like to congratulate all those who have contributed in making this
conference a success and acknowledge particularly the conference organising
team and the WHO.
To all those who have made presentations and rest of the delegates, thank
you for your contribution in the intensive and constructive discussions that
have taken place over the last few days.
I hope all of you enjoyed the time you have spent in the eastern shores of
our country. If you have not, please take time to witness the beauty of the
Durban beaches and the splendours of KwaZulu-Natal and many other parts of
South Africa.
Have a safe journey home and we hope you will visit us again in the near
future.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry for Health
5 April 2006
