Africa health ministers tackle disease outbreaks

DAR ES SALAAM: HEALTH ministers from 14 African countries are meeting in Dar es Salaam to strengthen regional cooperation on disease outbreak preparedness and improve reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health.

Tanzania’s Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, who is hosting and serving as Vice-Chairperson of the fourth Regional Health Ministers’ Steering Committee (ReSCO) meeting, is leading the discussions alongside the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Grace Magembe.

The two-day meeting, is focusing on regional health priorities, including reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health and countries’ ability to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.

The discussions build on technical work conducted a day earlier by the Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC), which met in Dar es Salaam on Monday this week, under the chairmanship of Dr Magembe.

Health experts reviewed and consolidated technical recommendations to guide discussions and decisions at the ministerial meeting.

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The ReSCO meeting will now consider those recommendations and provide ministers with an opportunity to agree on joint priorities and strengthen coordination among member states.

The ministers are also expected to discuss measures for improving reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health while strengthening regional systems for preparedness and response to health emergencies.

The meeting provides a platform for countries to move from technical recommendations to coordinated regional action on shared health challenges, particularly threats that can cross national borders.