Ethiopia’s Health Minister elected Chairperson of WHO Africa Regional Committee
As Chairperson, Dr. Mekdes will lead deliberations and decision-making among the 47 Member States of the WHO African Region throughout the session.
ETHIOPIA—Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba Feyssa, has been elected Chairperson of the 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76), which is being held in Addis Ababa.
Her election highlights member states’ confidence in Ethiopia’s leadership and its commitment to strengthening health systems and improving health outcomes across the African region.
As Chairperson, Dr. Mekdes will lead deliberations and decision-making among the 47 Member States of the WHO African Region throughout the session.
Focus on Africa’s health priorities
Under her leadership, delegates will address several pressing health priorities, including sustainable health financing, health workforce development, universal health coverage, health security and emergency preparedness.
These issues remain central to efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and build stronger health systems across the continent.
Dr. Mekdes emphasized the importance of countries working together to address shared health challenges.
“Collective action among African countries is the foundation of health sovereignty,” she said, highlighting the need for greater solidarity, cooperation, and mutual support among countries.
Her remarks come as African countries continue to strengthen their capacity to respond to public health emergencies while improving access to essential health services.
Regional cooperation remains important as governments seek to develop resilient health systems that can withstand disease outbreaks and other health threats.
Niger and Zimbabwe take leadership roles
Niger’s Minister of Public Health, Colonel-Major Garba Hakimi, was elected First Vice Chairperson of the Regional Committee.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, was elected Second Vice Chairperson.
Together with the Chairperson, the vice chairpersons will support the conduct of the committee’s proceedings and help facilitate discussions among Member States during the session.
The WHO Regional Committee for Africa serves as the organization’s principal decision-making body on health matters in the region.
It brings together health ministers or their representatives from all 47 WHO African Region Member States to discuss regional health priorities and agree on policies and strategies.
Regional health policy and cooperation
The committee also oversees the work of the WHO Regional Office for Africa and provides direction on implementing health programmes across the region.
Through its annual sessions, Member States review progress, identify emerging challenges and establish priorities for regional action.
The 76th session, hosted by Ethiopia, has brought together health ministers, senior government officials, WHO leadership and development partners in Addis Ababa.
Delegates are using the meeting to discuss key health issues affecting African countries and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
The session provides a platform for Member States to exchange experiences, coordinate responses to common health challenges and advance regional initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare.
Discussions also focus on strengthening health security and ensuring that countries are better prepared to respond to emergencies.
As Chairperson, Dr. Mekdes will preside over these deliberations as Member States consider policies and strategies intended to address the region’s evolving health needs.
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