KENYA—Kenya has begun preparations for the 2025 East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit (EARGHSS), set to take place from January 28th to 30th at Pwani University in Kilifi.

 This highly anticipated event is a critical step toward enhancing the region’s ability to combat emerging infectious diseases while bolstering public health systems.

As East Africa faces growing health threats, the importance of collaboration and coordinated efforts has never been more evident.

 The summit will bring together key stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and international organizations.

They will convene to discuss strategies for preventing, detecting, and responding to health challenges that transcend borders.

Additionally, the event will provide a platform to exchange ideas and showcase innovative approaches to health security.

A central focus of the 2025 EARGHSS will be on improving vaccine coverage, addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the region.

Delegates will explore actionable plans, forge strategic partnerships, and share knowledge on a wide range of health security topics.

Key themes will include pandemic preparedness and response, bioterrorism and biosecurity, health system strengthening, global health equity, the role of innovative health technologies, and critical health infrastructure development.

Given the recent global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Mpox outbreak, there will be an added emphasis on emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.

These discussions align with Kenya’s continued efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and develop a robust health system capable of addressing both current and future challenges.

Speaking during the official launch event at AMREF International University, Dr. Kamene Kimenye, Acting Director General of the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), represented the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni.

Dr. Kimenye highlighted the significance of regional cooperation in enhancing health security, highlighting that joint efforts across East African nations are essential to building resilient health systems capable of withstanding future pandemics.

For his part,  Dr. Emmanuel Nzai, Chairperson of the Vision 2030 Delivery Board, emphasized the importance of adopting a “business unusual” approach.

He called for transformative leadership and strong public-private partnerships to create resilient systems that can address health security risks effectively.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, represented by Chief Executive Committee Member for Gender, Ruth Masha, expressed confidence in Kilifi County’s readiness to host the summit, noting the event’s perfect timing.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), also involved in the summit’s planning, stressed the event’s importance in strengthening the region’s preparedness for future pandemics.

 Judith Kose, Regional Program Lead for the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Center (Eastern Africa RCC) for Africa CDC, highlighted the need for regional collaboration, pointing out that diseases do not respect borders and that united efforts are crucial to ensuring everyone’s safety.

Dr. James Lawler, Director of International Programs and Innovation at the Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, echoed the sentiment that the summit marks a pivotal moment.

He emphasized that building a resilient health system capable of withstanding future pandemics is vital, urging participants to view health as critical infrastructure and to prioritize maintaining robust healthcare systems. 

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