The inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit commenced in Mombasa on January 28, 2025, drawing together a diverse group of leaders, health experts, and stakeholders to address the pressing health security challenges facing the region. The summit, which runs until January 30, 2025, aims to forge actionable strategies that will strengthen health security through collaboration, innovation, and investment.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for Health in Kenya, who represented President William Ruto, highlighted the critical need for stronger healthcare systems in the region. Dr. Barasa conveyed the President’s message, emphasizing the importance of building resilient health systems capable of responding to emerging health threats. “We must build resilient health systems, collaborate across borders, and prioritize local manufacturing to ensure we’re prepared for future health threats,” President Ruto’s message underscored.
One of the central themes of the summit is the importance of regional cooperation in addressing health security. Leaders and experts from across East Africa have gathered to share insights and experiences, recognizing that health challenges often transcend national borders. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the interconnectedness of global health, and as such, the summit emphasizes the need for East African countries to collaborate in the development of solutions that are tailored to the region’s unique challenges.
Local vaccine production is another key area of focus. The region has faced difficulties in accessing vaccines and medical supplies during health crises, which has led to calls for increased investment in local manufacturing capabilities. By prioritizing local production, East African countries can reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and improve their ability to respond to future health emergencies. Dr. Barasa also noted the importance of ensuring that the region’s health systems are not only resilient but also self-sufficient.
Furthermore, the summit seeks to address the critical need for a well-trained healthcare workforce. A shortage of skilled healthcare professionals has been a longstanding challenge in many East African countries, and the summit aims to explore ways to enhance training programs, retain healthcare workers, and ensure that health professionals are equipped with the necessary skills to address both current and emerging health threats.
The private sector’s role in strengthening health security is another major focus of the summit. Public-private partnerships have the potential to drive innovation and investment in the health sector, and the summit aims to foster greater collaboration between government agencies, international organizations, and private sector players. By engaging the private sector, East African countries can unlock new avenues for funding, research, and technological innovation that can enhance health security.
Communities also play a pivotal role in health security, and the summit recognizes the importance of engaging local populations in health efforts. Strengthening community health systems, raising awareness about health threats, and ensuring that communities are well-prepared to respond to health emergencies are essential components of a comprehensive health security strategy. The summit emphasizes that health security is not only the responsibility of governments but also of individuals and communities.
The summit’s agenda includes discussions on a wide range of topics, including the development of regional health security frameworks, the establishment of early warning systems, the improvement of disease surveillance and response capabilities, and the promotion of health research and innovation. In addition to these technical discussions, the summit will also feature sessions on the social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, and access to clean water, which are critical factors in ensuring overall health security.
The East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit provides a platform for regional leaders and health experts to come together and take collective action to address the health security challenges facing the region. It is an opportunity to share knowledge, build partnerships, and develop strategies that will strengthen health systems, improve preparedness for health emergencies, and ensure that the region is better equipped to respond to future health threats.
As the summit progresses, participants will continue to work on crafting a comprehensive action plan that can guide the region’s health security efforts. This plan will be rooted in the principles of collaboration, innovation, and investment, with a focus on building resilient and self-sufficient health systems that can withstand the challenges of the future.
The success of the summit will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to working together towards common goals. By prioritizing health security and investing in the region’s healthcare infrastructure, East African countries can take meaningful steps towards ensuring the health and well-being of their populations, both now and in the future.
