African Health Ministers Open Regional Forum on Health
Sudanhorizon – Lusaka, Zambia – Agencies
African health ministers on Monday opened the 75th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, the highest decision-making body on health in the continent, in the Zambian capital Lusaka.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa said in a press release that health ministers from 47 African member states, meeting from 25–27 August, would discuss the necessary measures to address current challenges, in addition to adopting key resolutions to improve and strengthen public health.
In his opening address, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema stressed that the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic were crucial in “enhancing health diplomacy to address inequalities”. He called on regional leaders to make health “a driver of trade and regional industrialisation” and to harmonise public health regulations across countries.
The president also urged cooperation and commitment to humanity in making decisions that promote health and well-being across the region.
Zambia’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, called for unified action and deeper collaboration to tackle the continent’s health challenges.
“We must deepen regional cooperation, share best practices, harness African expertise and innovations, and build long-term resilience across borders. The outcomes of this session will guide our collective work towards a safer, fairer and more sustainable future for all,” she said.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the 75th session of the Regional Committee comes at “a critical moment for the continent and for the WHO, as we chart a more sustainable future for the health of all Africans.”
Amidst a challenging global financial landscape, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Moeti Matshidiso, underlined the importance of cooperation among countries to lead the transformation of health systems into structures that are “accountable, transparent and responsive to Africa’s realities.” She called for stronger health systems to meet the needs of populations.
“We must reframe health not as a cost, but as a fundamental pillar of prosperity. We must build effective, inclusive and sovereign systems, placing people – especially the most vulnerable – at the centre of every policy, programme and partnership,” she said.
According to the press release, over the next three days, ministers will discuss priority issues.
They are expected to adopt a resolution to accelerate progress on oral health, long neglected despite its impact on millions, with the goal of improving services across the region by 2030.
Ministers will also review proposals to speed up efforts to combat malaria, which continues to claim thousands of lives in Africa, and to address the critical shortage in the continent’s health workforce, which currently stands at less than half the global benchmark.
Source: PANA
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