HEALING THE WOUNDS
Pan African Wound Healing Association Launches in Tunis to Advance Wound Care Across the Continent
Mrs. Naima Ben Mlouka’s involvement as the introductory person to the PAWH initiative highlights the collaborative efforts between different organizations to improve healthcare in Africa. The potential for future support from the Health Development Agency (HDA) further emphasizes the importance of such initiatives in addressing healthcare challenges on the continent.
The launch of the Pan African Wound Healing (PAWH) association in Tunis marks a significant step forward in addressing wound care challenges across Africa. With the participation of representatives from fourteen African countries, the initiative is set to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among healthcare professionals. The focus on research, development, and training in the latest wound care techniques is a commendable approach to improving healthcare accessibility and reducing disparities in wound care across the continent.
President of the Marine Foundation Tunisia
Launch of the Pan African Wound Healing Association: A Milestone for Advancing Wound Care in Africa
The Pan African Wound Healing (PAWH) association was launched in Tunis on Friday first of March 2024, in the presence of the Minister of Health, Ali Mrabet.
Fourteen African countries, represented by eminent professors in various fields, presidents of scientific societies and deans of medical faculties, attended the inaugural meeting of this association, according to a statement from the association.
The association was initiated by Professor Amen Allah Messaadi, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis and founder of the Burns Intensive Care Unit. PAWH aims to improve the quality of care for all types of wounds in Africa and to promote African expertise in wound care, burns and healing techniques.
It will work to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration between health professionals and promote the training of health professionals through theoretical and practical training programmes on the latest therapeutic and technological advances, with the main aim of reducing disparities in wound care, according to the same statement.
The accredited course leads to certification and is open to Tunisian and African paramedical and medical staff.
PAWH President Prof Amen Allah Messaadi said: “Our ambition is to invest in research and development because it is clear that as Africans, we must of course take advantage of the latest innovations and discoveries in wound care and healing. We also need to look seriously at medical research, both clinical and basic, to develop treatments that are adapted to our social context and health resources”.
He added: “We want to make medicine accessible to all patients, especially those with limited resources.”
The pan-African association also aims to develop and implement prevention programmes not only in its member countries, but across the continent, Messaadi said.
The PAWH TEAM
President: Professor Amen Allah Messaadi
Prof. Ali Mrabet – Honorary President of the PAWH (Pan African Wound Healing) Minister of Health in Tunisia – Pr. Michel KODO – Professor of Traumatology – Orthopedics, Honorary Vice-President of Alassane OUATTARA University in Bouaké, President of the Pedagogical Commission of Alassane University. Dr. Lancine Kaba President of the Ivorian Association of Wounds and Healing. Prof. FANDEBNET SINIKI Vice President of the Chadian Association of Wounds and Healing. Prof. Hermine ZIME DIAWARA, Burkina Faso – Burkinabe Association of Wounds and Healing (ABPC). Prof. Mohamed Maciré SOUMAH Honorary President of the GUINEAN COLLEGE OF HYPERBARIC MEDICINE AND HEALING (COGUIMEHC). Dr. Amira Aboud GUINEAN COLLEGE OF HYPERBARIC MEDICINE AND HEALING (COGUIMEHC). Dr. Dembele Bertin Malian Association of Wounds and Healing Mali. MAIMOUNA NDOUR MBAYE FRANCO-AFRICAN SOCIETY OF DIABETOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY. Prof. Demba Diédhiou Secretary-General FRANCO-AFRICAN SOCIETY OF DIABETOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY Senegal. Dr. Frenel LOEMBE President Frenel LOEMBE Foundation Health. Dr. Meriem JOOF President Gambian Association of Wounds and Healing Gambia. Dr. Meriem JOOF President Gambian Association of Wounds and Healing Gambia. Prof. NGAROUA President of the Cameroonian Association of Wounds and Healing Cameroon. Dr. Claude Kivangua President of the Congolese Association of Wounds and Healing Congo Kinshasa. Prof. Abdoul Touré Secretary-General Nigerien Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Niger. Prof. Adel Salama President Libyan Board for Health Specialties. Dr. Mohamed Medane President of the Mauritanian Association of Wounds and Healing Mauritani. Prof. Amen Allah Messadi President of the Tunisian Association for the Treatment of Burns and Wounds. President of Pan African Wound Healing Tunisia. IHM International Prof. Georg Votava Austria. Leading this challenge IHM Africa Leader Naïma Ben Mlouka – Tunisia.
HDA – Health Development Agency
Developped by President Naima Ben Mlouka
Moreover, the platform provided by the Marine Foundation allows for corporate sponsorship of healthcare projects, ensuring that donors can contribute to specific regions or initiatives while gaining visibility for their social responsibility efforts. This approach not only mobilizes additional resources for healthcare development but also encourages private sector engagement in addressing public health challenges.
Overall, the HDA’s model of leveraging a distribution network and corporate sponsorship could enhance healthcare equity in Africa, ensuring that more communities have access to the vital health support they need.
