SADC Health Ministers meeting underway in Harare

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
It is a sunny morning in Harare and we are at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) where Zimbabwe is hosting the joint SADC Ministers of Health and Ministers responsible for HIV and Aids to discuss health-related challenges affecting the region.

The meeting has been ongoing since Monday and will end tomorrow with the commemorations of the SADC Malaria Day in Murehwa.

The first two days of the conference saw senior officials within the various ministries of Health meeting to deliberate on various issues affecting the region including emergencies such as Mpox, cholera and Marburg among others.

A consolidated report of outcomes of the meetings has been presented to the Ministers for consideration and adoption today.

We will be giving you updates on this story.

SADC deputy executive secretary Ms Angele Makombo N’tumba has encouraged SADC member states to actively participate in the process of the development and ratification of the Pandemic Treaty, as well as the revision of the International Health Regulations.

Addressing delegates at the official opening of the SADC Ministers of Health and HIV and AIDS meeting on Thursday, Ms N’tumba said the instruments are crucial in defining countries collective and individual capacity to prepare for the next pandemic.

She said this would also support efforts in building resilient and sustainable health systems.
“Lessons from the last pandemic show us that while these commitments are a step in the right direction, the challenges that affect our health systems in the region are still immense and deep-rooted in the under-investment in health of the past couple of decades,” she said.

“I, therefore, urge member states to take steps towards local and regional manufacturing to ensure a sustained response to health and health security for the region.

“This will ensure that the region has adequate commodities, medicines, and vaccines to be able to respond to its own health needs.”

Southern African countries have been encouraged to work together to address public health crises affecting the region.

Speaking at the SADC Ministers of Health and HIV and AIDS meeting that is currently underway, World Health Organisation Africa regional director Dr Matshidiso Moeti said countries in southern Africa and the entire continent are increasingly experiencing intersecting public health emergencies, climate change-related disasters and conflicts.

“This demands a renewed focus on bolstering preparedness and building resilience in health systems and communities,” she said.

“This year alone, seven of the nine African countries worst impacted by cholera outbreaks were in the southern African region.

“For Mpox, southern Africa is home to four of the 17 countries currently affected, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the epicentre of the epidemic.”
She said there is no room for complacency.
“Successful countries have shown us that a multilateral response that puts communities at the centre is essential for success. Increased domestic financing and cross-border initiatives are needed,” said Dr Moeti.