Cannabis Science and Raymond C. Dabney Joins the Fight for a
Better African Healthcare Infrastructure
Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCQB: CBIS), a U.S. Company specializing in cannabis
formulation-based drug development and related consulting, highlights additional
attendees at the CFA African Healthcare Infrastructure Forum and Brainstorm held
at the African Union, in
Washington DC, on
February 6, 2015.
As previously announced, Cannabis Science President & CEO, Raymond C.
Dabney was appointed as the Vice Chair of the newly launched Constituency
for Africa (CFA) Africa Healthcare Infrastructure Committee. (
www.cfa-network.org ) (
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Constituency-for-Africa/347822291974589 )
The committee held its inaugural meeting on February 5, 2015 at the African
Union Mission to discuss its charge from CFA President, Mr. Melvin Foote, and to
approve a conceptual framework program of work. Building on the successful model
by CFA of using Town Hall formats and commissioning lectures to highlight
priorities, The Committee discussed to hold the Africa Healthcare Infrastructure
Forum & Brainstorm Session on February 6 at the African Union Mission in
terms of the expected outcome and to establish the five standing sub-committees
on EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY, TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION,
LEADERSHIP, POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT & POLICY, and HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE to
develop and sustain programs in these areas.
Mr. Dabney joined Dr. Roscoe M. Moore Jr. (retired US Assistant Surgeon
General) who is Interim Chair of CFA and also Chair of the Africa Healthcare
Infrastructure Committee, along with 13 others consisting of individuals with
extensive experience working in or with Africa in the public and private sectors
at the African Union for the African healthcare brainstorm session.
Among them is Dr. Julius Garvey, an accomplished board certified surgeon
specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the son
of the legendary pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey Jr., Dr.
Sam
Mbulaiteye, who is a senior investigator at the National Cancer
Institute, and Prof. Allen Herman, an independent public health consultant who
was the founding Dean of the National School of Public Health, Medical School
of Southern Africa in South Africa.
The Africa Healthcare Infrastructure Forum & Brainstorm Session was held
on February 6, 2015 at the African Union Mission in a historic event graced by a
Keynote speech by award-winning Actor and Social Entrepreneur, Jeffery C.
Wright, who spoke passionately and intimately about the devastation of the Ebola
epidemic on healthcare services in Africa and, recalling Albert
Einstein's definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting different results, he called for a new approach borrowing from the
model used in the Marshall Plan, which worked in Europe after the second world
war.
The meeting was addressed by Mr.
Tarek Ben
Youssef, Senior Political Officer in the African Union Mission as host
who represented the AU permanent representative
Amina
Salum Ali, who was delayed returning from the African Union Summit
in
Addis Ababa.
The 5 panelists who followed Mr.
Jeffrey
Wright were Mr. Robert Mallet (President Accordia Global Health
Foundation), Ms. Jessica Rookwood (President of International Health Advisors),
Mr. Donald Shriber (Deputy Director for Policy and Communication, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention), Dr. Pernessa Seele (Founder and CEO, The Balm
in Gilead, Inc) and Mr. Gregory Simpkins (Senior Director, US House of
Representatives, Sub-committee on
Africa).
Five people responding to the panel were Ms. Julia Royall (Global Health
Information Specialist), Dr. Gloria B. Herndon (CEO GB Herndon &
Associates), Dr. Julius Garvey (Garvey vascular Specialists), Dr. Arikana
Chihombori (Chair, African Diaspora Health Initiative, African Union) and
Mr. Raymond C. Dabney (Chairman Board of Directors, Cannabis Science Inc., and
the Cannabis Science Research Foundation).
The Africa Healthcare Infrastructure Forum & Brainstorm Session, coming
on the heels of the 24th meeting of the African Union and the
unprecedented international response to the Ebola epidemic, is poised to play a
unique and catalytic role to radically transform the global health agenda
of Africa from one that lurches from one crisis response to another crisis
response to one that is built on health system strengthening, engagement of
African communities and professionals, and long-term training and infrastructure
investment.
Cannabis Science and the Cannabis Science Research Foundation, through its
Chairman Raymond C. Dabney, is pleased to be associated with this historic
session, and with the work of CFA, and to join the African Union and partner
institutions to re-shape the debate and implementation healthcare reform and
investment in Africa. Agreeing with keynote speaker, Jeffrey C. Wright, that the
responsibility of healthcare lies with local governments in Africa, thus
healthcare system strengthening.
Mr. Dabney believes and re-affirmed that Cannabis Science and the Cannabis
Science Research Foundation would respond with urgency and seriousness of
purpose, the Africa to support long-term efforts to rebuild Africa's healthcare
infrastructure along the priorities established by the Africa Healthcare
Infrastructure Committee. This work will include education and training to
replace workers lost in epidemics such as the HIV/AIDS and the Ebola epidemics,
revitalization of agriculture, and leadership training. The legacy of the Ebola
epidemic in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia should not be a Cassandra Curse,
but a vibrant partnership to do what is possible so Africans can manage and
deliver health to their own peoples – in other words build the wealth of
Africans by supporting the health of its peoples.
"A healthy and vibrant Africa is good for everybody. Imagine the potential of
untapped resources of Africa making their fair share contribution to the global
economy, including in agricultural production, drug manufacturing and
distribution. It is a big...
.CONTINUES
Cannabis Science Highlights Additional Attendees at the Washington DC, African Union, CFA African Healthcare Infrastructure Forum and Brainstorming event: http://j.mp/1D1ItNf
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