TZ assures WHO Africa forum on cutting medicine imports

LUSAKA: TANZANIA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its health sector and reducing dependency on imported medicines during the recent 75th Session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, held in Lusaka, Zambia.

The high-level meeting, held last week, brought together health ministers and senior officials from across the African continent to discuss regional health priorities, with a key agenda item being the promotion and development of local pharmaceutical industries to enhance self-sufficiency in essential medicines.

Representing Tanzania at the forum was Dr Seif Shekalaghe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, who attended on behalf of the Minister for Health, Ms Jenista Mhagama.

Dr Shekalaghe said Tanzania’s participation in the forum reflects the country’s strong commitment to building a resilient and self-reliant health sector.

“Our participation in this regional forum reflects Tanzania’s determination to build a resilient and self- reliant health sector,” said Dr Shekalaghe.

“We welcome partnerships that support local manufacturing, innovation and research, which are key pillars of our national health strategy.”

This year’s session was notably the first to be held under the leadership of the newly appointed WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi.

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On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr Shekalaghe held bilateral talks with the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Zambia, focusing on expanding collaboration between the two countries in the health sector.

In addition, Dr Shekalaghe engaged in strategic side meetings with key develop- ment partners, including the Gates Foundation Africa.

The discussions centred on the Foundation’s priority areas and its commitment to supporting the Government of Tanzania in strengthening health innovation, financial systems and public health interventions.

Dr Shekalaghe also met with representatives from UNITAID, a global health initiative, which expressed its intention to support Tanzania’s local pharmaceutical industry through technical expertise and financial resources.

The collaboration aims to boost the domestic production of health commodities and strengthen partnerships with national institutions such as the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR).

The country’s active participation in the WHO Africa Regional Meeting highlights the government’s strong political commitment to advancing health services through regional collaboration, international partner- ships and strategic invest- ment in local capacity.