WHO African Region Ministers convene in Ethiopia to shape health agenda
During the session, participants are reviewing progress, addressing emerging health challenges and considering strategies to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across the continent.
ETHIOPIA— Ministers of health from the 47 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region have opened the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, beginning three days of discussions on policies and priorities that will shape the region’s health agenda.
The Regional Committee, the WHO African Region’s highest decision-making body, brings together health ministers, senior government officials, development partners and technical experts.
During the session, participants are reviewing progress, addressing emerging health challenges and considering strategies to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across the continent.
Opening the session, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie called for stronger regional cooperation and sustained investment in resilient health systems to improve health and support Africa’s development.
“Africa’s next health chapter must be defined by ownership over dependency, integration over fragmentation and practical action over words,” President Taye said. “Let us act not only with declarations, but with firm commitment and measurable actions.”
Ethiopia calls for resilient health systems
Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr Mekdes Daba urged countries to build sustainable health systems that can respond to the region’s changing needs.
She highlighted persistent inequalities, limited resources, emerging technologies, climate-related challenges, demographic shifts and increasingly complex health emergencies as major pressures on African health systems.
“If we act in solidarity, invest with purpose, and innovate with equity at the centre, we can build an Africa that is healthier, more resilient, more self-reliant and better prepared to shape its future,” Dr Daba said.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi said the meeting demonstrates Member States’ shared commitment to stronger, more resilient and self-reliant health systems through collective action and African-led solutions.
He said Addis Ababa provided an appropriate setting for the meeting because the city hosts the African Union and has long served as a centre for continental diplomacy and cooperation.
“The decisions we take this week will shape policies, guide investments and influence future generations,” Dr Janabi said, urging countries to remain ambitious, practical and accountable.
Health financing, workforce and child development
Among the key agenda items is a strategy to strengthen sustainable health financing across the region.
Ministers will also consider the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035, which aims to help countries train, employ and retain more health workers.
In addition, delegates will discuss a regional strategy focused on giving children the best possible start in life by increasing investment in early childhood development.
Strengthening health security and data
Ministers will consider proposals to improve the regulation of medical products and strengthen health security and emergency preparedness.
The discussions come as African countries continue to face frequent public health emergencies.
Against the backdrop of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola response, ministers will review a framework for strengthening national emergency medical teams.
The framework aims to help countries respond more quickly and effectively to outbreaks, disasters and other emergencies.
The Committee will also consider measures to protect Africa’s progress against polio by maintaining surveillance systems, laboratories, skilled personnel and emergency response capabilities developed through decades of eradication efforts.
Furthermore, delegates will examine a new Regional Health Data Hub to help countries detect health threats earlier, allocate resources more effectively and make better-informed decisions.
The meeting will also consider A New Era of Health for Africa: United Action for Vision 2035, a long-term framework focused on primary health care, resilient health systems, sustainable financing, digital transformation and greater country ownership.
The resolutions adopted during the session will guide national policies, regional cooperation and WHO support to Member States over the coming year.
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