I extend my warmest welcome to each of you as we gather here for the 7th AFREhealth Symposium, scheduled to take place from 6^th to 8^th August 2024. It is with immense pleasure that we come together under the auspices of the University of Nairobi to explore and address the pressing matters in health professions education, research, and service delivery in Africa.

Before we delve into the heart of our discussions, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to each one of you for carving out time from your busy schedules to be a part of this significant event. The success of this symposium is the result of the dedication and hard work put in by the AFREhealth Governing Council, Symposium Steering Committee, the University of Nairobi, and the AFREhealth Secretariat. Their unwavering efforts have laid the foundation for what promises to be a truly exceptional and transformative symposium. Our focus for this year revolves around the theme " Progress towards SDGs in Africa:  Celebrating milestones and overcoming challenges."  This timely theme helps us to reflect on our journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), celebrate our successes, and confront the hurdles we face with renewed vigor and determination.

At AFREhealth, we recognize the complexity of the health challenges confronting our continent and firmly believe that collaboration among all health professions is the key to unlocking effective solutions. Our strategy entails engaging with various stakeholders, including training institutions, Ministries of Health, funders, NGOs, professional bodies, and the private sector. Together, we can pave the way for sustainable advancements in healthcare.

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee hosted at the University of Nairobi (UoN), I am very delighted to witness this crucial gathering of Health Cadres from all over the world take place here in Nairobi, Kenya, and welcome all delegates with open arms. In the year 2016, I played a similar role albeit, at a MEPI conference hosted by my institution at Nairobi CBD- Laico Regency Hotel. At the end of that annual symposium, AFREhealth came into being, bringing on board previous NEPI schools. I have witnessed monumental growth of that initial initiative to the current mammoth AFREhealth status in all aspects.

This year’s Conference theme “Progress towards SDGs in Africa - Celebrating Milestones and Overcoming Challenges” and Sub-themes:

• Harnessing digital technology and innovation for health professions education towards the attainment of SDGs.
• Research towards the attainment of SDG's.
• Efforts to bridge gaps: Achieving Universal Health Coverage.
• Leadership and advocacy towards sustaining the momentum of SDGs.

is very resonant with the prevailing situation of just about half a decade from the target year of 2030.

Nairobi hosts a National Park just adjacent to the City, which provides an opportunity to see the big 5 including lions not in a zoo but their natural habitat. Masaai Mara where currently there is a great migration of Wildebeests and Zebras to Mara was declared “Seven Wonders of the World” and is only two and half hours’ drive from Nairobi including other National Parks.