Oluwatobi Adu 
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – African health ministers are considering new measures to strengthen health financing, expand the health workforce, improve emergency preparedness and build stronger African-led responses to the continent’s health challenges.
The discussions began on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as health ministers from the 47 Member States of the World Health Organization African Region opened the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa.
The three-day meeting brings together health ministers, government officials, development partners and health experts to agree on priorities expected to shape the region’s health agenda in the coming years.
Health financing and workforce top agenda
Among the key issues before the ministers are a new strategy for sustainable health financing, the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035 and a regional plan aimed at improving early childhood development.
The committee will also consider measures to strengthen the regulation of medical products, improve the use of health data and expand primary healthcare across African countries.
The discussions come as many countries continue to face pressure from inadequate health financing, shortages of health workers and unequal access to essential healthcare services.
Ebola puts emergency preparedness in focus
Health security is another major priority at the meeting as African countries continue to face disease outbreaks, disasters and other public health emergencies.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s response to its largest Ebola outbreak is expected to add urgency to discussions on strengthening emergency medical teams and improving countries’ ability to detect and respond rapidly to outbreaks.
The meeting will consider measures to improve national emergency preparedness and response capacity, including systems for responding to disease outbreaks and other emergencies.
President of Ethiopia, H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, called for greater cooperation and stronger investment in Africa’s health systems.
He urged African countries to move beyond commitments and focus on measurable results.
“Africa’s next health chapter must be defined by ownership over dependency, integration over fragmentation and practical action over words,” he said.
WHO pushes for action and accountability
The ministers will also consider a long-term framework, A New Era of Health for Africa: United Action for Vision 2035, as well as plans to preserve gains made in the fight against polio.
Another proposal on the agenda is the establishment of a Regional Health Data Hub, which could strengthen the availability and use of health information for policymaking across the continent.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, said decisions taken during the meeting would influence health policies and investments across the region.
“The decisions we take this week will shape policies, guide investments and influence future generations,” he said.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 