NAIROBI , Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Sub-Saharan African region must adopt a new strategic vision that revolves around policy reforms, innovative financing and adoption of new technologies in order to transform their health sectors, experts said on Thursday.


The experts who spoke during the launch of report on status of health in Africa in Nairobi stated that a radical policy shift, visionary leadership , research, training and technology adoption are key to transforming the critical sector against a backdrop of a rising disease burden.


Alex Ezeh, the Executive Director of Nairobi-based Africa Population Health Research Center (APHRC), said that a new vision for Africa's health sector is long overdue to help tackle soaring deaths linked to preventable ailments.


"Though several milestones have been achieved in Africa's health sector , bold actions must be taken now to avoid a relapse into the old order marked by unacceptably high rates of infectious diseases," said Ezeh.


He was a co-author of the report titled "The path to longer and healthier lives for all African by 2030 published by the Lancet Commission on the future of health in Sub-Saharan Africa.


The report noted that even though Africa's health sector was grappling with numerous hiccups, there was a chance to reclaim it through application of strategic policy, regulatory and financing interventions.


Ezeh noted that improved governance , capacity development and infrastructural upgrade are key to establishing well-functioning health systems in Africa.


He urged creation of people centered health systems that can respond effectively to both infectious and lifestyle diseases that are responsible for high death rates among Africa's productive age segment.


African states have an opportunity to revamp their health systems through enactment of robust policies, investments in research and training as well as greater collaboration with private sector.


Professor Nelson Sewankambo, the immediate Principal of Makerere University's College of Health Sciences, said that strong and accountable leadership , evidence-based research and innovative financing models are required to transform primary healthcare in Africa.


"It is evident that health outcomes in this Continent can be improved through state-led interventions that seek to streamline service delivery at all levels," Sewankambo remarked.


China, Brunei to boost ties


Surges brought by Typhoon Talim seen in E China


China Focus: World's oldest panda dies aged 37


Singaporean divers find two bodies of missing crew in dredger accident


Bird's-eye view of Zibo City in east China


Fire drill held in S China's Guangxi


China, Pakistan air forces hold joint training exercises


Pic story: Chinese grape and wine expert


TOKYO , Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has been involved in refueling U.S. warships in the Sea of Japan under new controversial security laws that came into effect last year, defense ministry sources said Thursday.


According to Kyodo News, a government source confirmed that MSDF supply ships conducted multiple refueling missions since April to U.S. Aegis ships in the Sea of Japan, marking the second time Japan's MSDF has carried out expanded operations under the new security laws.


In May , the defense ministry said a Japanese destroyer escorted a U.S. naval vessel, marking the first time that such a mission had been carried out under the new legislation.


The new security legislation allows more flexibility to the MSDF to provide supplies including oil to U.S. warships conducting operations in the region.


The legislation also applies to Japan's wider Self-Defense Force (SDF) as part of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to broaden Japan's international military footprint.


The security legislation and the government's moves to bolster the SDF's presence on a global stage, has been widely criticized home and abroad for running contrary to Japan's postwar commitment to pacifism and the constitution that ensures it.


China, Brunei to boost ties


Rally held in London calling to maintain rights after Brexit


Ships go back to port to avoid approaching Typhoon in Vietnam


Israel's military begins massive exercise


Bird's-eye view of Zibo City in east China


Fire drill held in S China's Guangxi


China , Pakistan air forces hold joint training exercises


Pic story: Chinese grape and wine expert




BEIJING， July 4 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority renewed its orange alert for heavy rain in the south and southwest of the country on Monday.


Heavy rain will hit the provinces of Anhui， Jiangsu， Hubei， Jiangxi， Hunan and Guizhou， and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region until Tuesday morning， with precipitation reaching 200 millimeters in some areas， the National Meteorological Center said on its website.


The center advised people living in the affected areas to take precautions against possible floods and landslides， and those living in mountainous areas to move to safe places.


China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather， with red being the most serious， followed by orange， yellow and blue.


Continuous rainfall over the past two weeks has left at least 61 people dead and 14 others missing in China.


In central Hubei Province， 34 people have died and 11 others are missing. In eastern Anhui Province， 27 people have died and another three are missing， according to local authorities. Enditem


Ahh the holidays – time for loved ones, great cheer and of program, all those not-so-very good, pesky further lbs. Effortlessly training gear gets a hot item as the year draws to a near , and a lot of will give it a.