Regional Health experts meet in Dar to fast-track preps for the 4th ReSCO meeting

DAR ES SALAAM: Preparations for the Fourth Meeting of the Regional Steering Committee of East African Ministers of Health (ReSCO) are underway, with health experts from across the East African region meeting in Dar es Salaam to discuss key regional health priorities.

The Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) meeting was held today as part of preparations for the ReSCO meeting. The experts discussed a range of health issues and developed recommendations to be presented to ministers during the upcoming meeting.

Key areas of discussion included strengthening maternal and child health services, improving primary healthcare, ensuring sustainable financing for the health sector, and enhancing health security and self-reliance across the East African region.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, participated in the meeting as Tanzania prepares to co-lead the ReSCO meeting, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s role in advancing the regional health agenda.

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The meeting also focused on efforts to improve the health of mothers, newborns and children, an area that Tanzania has continued to prioritise under the leadership of President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, who also serves as the African Union Champion for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

Through the ReTAC and ReSCO meetings, member states are continuing to link technical expertise with high-level policy decisions, with the aim of developing joint strategies and solutions to strengthen health systems and address challenges facing the East African region.

The ReTAC meeting is expected to provide the technical foundation for recommendations to be considered during the ReSCO meeting, which seeks to strengthen cooperation among member states in improving the health and well-being of people across East Africa.