First ladies officially open international youth conference, resolve to fight against HIV in Africa

5th March 2017…Her Excellency First Lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta, today played host to her Malawian counterpart, H.E. Dr. Gertrude Mutharika at the Youth Pre-conference of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference in Nairobi.

The two first ladies addressed a delegation of more than 200 youth from across the region at a Nairobi Hotel on the importance of inclusive health policies in the region, particularly policies aimed at fighting HIV and AIDS among the youth.

While addressing the youth, Dr. Mutharika, who is the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), stressed that OAFLA was committed to pushing for youth-friendly interventions.

H.E. Margaret Kenyatta reiterated Mutharika’s message, saying that Africa needs an inclusive and responsive health care system that caters for all, including the youth.

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Also present at the event were Public service, youth and gender affairs Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki and Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Amref Health Africa Group CEO and chair of the Organising Committee for the conference.

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Dr. Gitahi noted that the youth are the number one stakeholder for the African health agenda.

The youth pre-conference sets the stage for the main conference, the African Health Agenda International Conference, which runs on March 7-9 and is expected to draw the attendance of more than 450 delegates.

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