2012-05-11: Mayor Tau in a New York conference
THE Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councilor Mpho Parks Tau, will be attending the Global Business Council on Health (GBCH) Conference and the
Awards Dinner in New York on 14 and 15 May 2012.
The GBCH serves as a hub for engagement on the world's most pressing global health issues. Since 2001, GBCH has worked with hundreds of members -
individually and in partnership - to tackle the challenges of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Diabetes and other health issues facing the workplace and
communities where business is conducted.
This year, several corporate executives, government leaders, policy makers, civil society visionaries and media champions will gather at the Roosevelt Hotel
to explore the future role of business in creating a healthier workplace and world.
Mayor Tau will address the Conference on some of the key health issues facing Johannesburg and the related initiatives as well as projects to mitigate these
challenges.
He will be in the company of other city mayors and renowned personalities like Ms Michelle Bachelet the first Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director
of UN Women that supports and coordinates the work on gender equality and the empowerment of women; Ambassador Eric Goosby who leads all international US
government efforts on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; Mr Michel Sidibe executive director of UNAIDS that supports countries to achieve their universal
access targets and Millenium Development Goals as well as our own First Lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma. Mrs Ngema-Zuma provides leadership and participation in
support of presidential community developmental programmes.
The Conference provides a platform for governments, business and private sector to discuss major health issues, share experiences, technology and solutions
to overcome many problems facing cities worldwide.
The phrase “double burden of disease” is accepted internationally as describing the transitional health in developing countries where the well-being or lack
thereof of a population is displayed through both chronic forms of disease such as diabetes and obesity associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and disease
associated with poverty and underdevelopment.
Taken together with a high level of injuries associated with trauma, violence and the advent of HIV/AIDS, South Africa’s health system has seen a multiplied
effect.
Joburg in particular has an above national average percentage, 35.2% of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer and heart disease.
Coupled with high rates of migration, food insecurity and the impact of inequality, the City faces a formidable challenge. The challenge has, however,
shifted course. Clear strategies and implementation plans have been credited for changing the situation.
Ends
“Joburg, a high performing metropolitan government that pro-actively contributes to and builds a sustainable, socially inclusive, locally integrated and
globally competitive Gauteng City Region”.
For more information contact:
Virgil James
Communication Specialist
Tel: 011 or 407 7226
Cell: 082 467 9415
