AFRICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS' WORKSHOP

The 1st November 2003 saw the first African Community Leaders' Workshop, organized and lead by The ACCR. Held at the Carrs Lane Centre in Birmingham City Centre, the workshop was arranged with a view to allowing influential community leaders the opportunity to learn and share information with medical specialists about health issues facing Africans in the West Midlands. It was hoped that such interaction would lead to a co-ordinated response to community health needs, and would also facilitate inter-faith harmony and, therefore, greater social cohesion.

The workshop was opened by Mr. Mohammed Al-Rahim, The ACCR Chair. He explained the four key themes of The ACCR's work - pan-Africanism, humanitarianism, development and integration. He emphasised that Africans must unite and face the challenges of the modern world with dignity and purpose in order to achieve these ideals.

Mr. Al-Rahim explained that although the workshop was to focus on health, social and economic factors must also be addressed if health issues are to be resolved successfully - thus reiterating the need for a holistic and social-based approach to helping African communities.

Following the introduction, Sexual Health Specialist Dr. Zvirurami Chikobvu presented a talk on HIV/AIDS. She described how stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, blame and collective denial are making it very difficult to address prevention of HIV infection amongst African people in Britain.

African people are the second largest demographic group affected by HIV in this country. Most of these cases are heterosexual transmissions which have been acquired whilst in Africa. Research suggests that Africans have an inadequate awareness of the risks of the illness and the treatment available to help manage it, but local leaders and health specialist are working to combat this.

Next, General Practitioner Dr. Zakaria Bol Deng discussed the problems of disease in Africa itself. He highlighted malaria and bilharzias as two huge killers which continue to devastate on the African continent due to the apparent lack of political will from the West to contribute resources to tackle them.

He also described the problems African People have accessing medical advice and services in this country. Many Africans do not know their rights to medical care here, and this situation needs to be addressed if appropriate health care is to be made available to all.

Later, sickle cell anaemia specialist Mr. L. Musumadi described how this little-known but widespread disease can be identified and managed. He urged information be distributed to communities who may be affected.

Many very positive links were made during the workshop. It also provided the opportunity for African groups to both raise and tackle important issues about how to improve support, health care and cultural integration for local African communities.

This is an exciting time for The ACCR, with networks of agencies, charities, professionals and community leaders promoting and supporting African interests in the West Midlands. The Terrence Higgins Trust and NHS Sexual Health Team were key contacts as both offer specialist African services. There are now plans to increase participation to faith communities, colleges, professional associations and other groups so far not yet involved.

There are plans for a second Workshop next year, which will continue to build on the important communication and networking which is being constantly strengthened, largely due to The ACCR's dedicated efforts.