Africa urged to strengthen health sovereignty
DAR ES SALAAM: African countries have been urged to strengthen health sovereignty and regional cooperation to better protect their populations from disease outbreaks and build health systems capable of withstanding future emergencies.
The call was made by Grace Magembe, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, during the fourth Eastern Africa Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (ReSCO) meeting in Dar es Salaam, where health leaders are discussing ways to strengthen the region’s preparedness and response to health emergencies.
Dr Magembe explained that disease outbreaks could no longer be treated as isolated national problems because an outbreak in one country could quickly spread across borders and threaten neighbouring populations.
According to her, the reality has made regional coordination essential, with countries needing to share information, strengthen surveillance systems and coordinate their responses before health emergencies escalate.
“Because an outbreak across one border concerns all of us, this is the time to stand in solidarity and make sure that we address this agenda together as Africa,” she observed.
The two-day meeting is also expected to help member states translate regional health commitments into measurable action, with discussions focusing on solidarity, health sovereignty and accountability.
Dr Magembe noted that the meeting would also advance the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Roadmap championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in her capacity as African Union Champion for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
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Alongside the roadmap, she further said that the meeting would address cross-border preparedness and response to health emergencies, reflecting the need for countries to build stronger systems that can respond collectively to regional threats.
On the other hand. Dr Magembe called for predictable, sustainable and innovative financing for primary healthcare and resilient health systems, saying financial commitments from governments and development partners must translate into measurable improvements in people’s health.
The meeting, being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam, has brought together health ministers and senior officials from Eastern African countries, alongside representatives of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), WHO, UNICEF, the East African Community and other partners.
Thirteen of the 14 member states are represented at the meeting, which provides a platform for countries and partners to strengthen regional cooperation and turn shared health priorities into coordinated action.
