The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with VSO International, Africa CDC, and other regional partners, will host the Regional Health Promotion Conference (RHPC) 2025 this March in Nairobi. This landmark event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss and develop innovative strategies for advancing health promotion across the region.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Health Promotion through Universal Health Coverage and Intersectionality in Healthcare,” aims to explore how various sectors can work together to improve community wellness. It will focus on the intersection of health promotion with critical areas such as education, technology, climate change, and the private sector. These intersections highlight the need for a multi-sectoral approach to achieving sustainable health outcomes, especially in the context of universal health coverage.
Preparations for the conference are well underway, with the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, actively involved in ensuring its success. Recently, the Principal Secretary met with a technical team from VSO, led by Papa Diouf, Global Practice Area Lead for Health. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing preparations and align efforts to make the conference impactful for all participants.
The RHPC 2025 is set to attract over 500 delegates from across the region, including representatives from Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Kenya. These participants will include policymakers, health professionals, researchers, community leaders, and representatives from non-governmental organizations. Their presence will ensure a rich exchange of ideas and experiences, fostering collaboration and innovation in health promotion.
A key focus of the conference will be on integrating health promotion strategies into broader frameworks for universal health coverage. This integration is vital for ensuring that health promotion is not treated as an isolated endeavor but as an essential component of comprehensive healthcare systems. The discussions will also emphasize the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as education, income inequality, and environmental factors, to achieve equitable health outcomes.
Technology will feature prominently in the discussions, particularly in its role as a catalyst for change in healthcare delivery and promotion. Digital health tools, telemedicine, and data analytics are transforming how health information is disseminated and how care is provided, especially in remote and underserved areas. By leveraging these technologies, the region can overcome many of the barriers to effective health promotion and care delivery.
Climate change, another critical area of focus, has significant implications for health promotion. Changes in climate patterns affect the spread of diseases, access to clean water, and food security, all of which have direct impacts on community health. The conference will provide a platform to discuss strategies for mitigating these impacts and building resilience in health systems to adapt to climate-related challenges.
The private sector’s role in health promotion will also be a key topic. Partnerships with private entities can bring additional resources, expertise, and innovation to health promotion initiatives. By working collaboratively with governments and civil society, the private sector can help drive progress toward universal health coverage and improved health outcomes.
Education, as a foundational pillar of health promotion, will be another central theme. Empowering communities with knowledge about healthy behaviors, preventive care, and available health services is essential for fostering long-term wellness. The conference will explore best practices for integrating health education into school curriculums and community programs to ensure that health promotion starts early and reaches diverse populations.
The RHPC 2025 represents a significant opportunity to advance the health agenda in the region. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies for sustainable health promotion. The insights and recommendations generated during the event will contribute to shaping policies and programs that address the unique challenges and opportunities in health promotion across East Africa.
As the countdown to the conference continues, organizers are committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive platform that will inspire meaningful change in health promotion. This event underscores the importance of collective action and intersectionality in addressing the complex health challenges facing the region. By prioritizing sustainable health promotion, the conference will pave the way for healthier communities and a stronger foundation for universal health coverage.
