The Speaker of the Kenyan Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, urged African nations to adopt bold, homegrown strategies to address the continent’s persistent health challenges during the Inaugural Africa Health Summit in Kampala. He stressed that Africa must shift from merely identifying health problems to actively developing and implementing large-scale, African-led solutions. Hon. Kingi also highlighted the importance of sustainable domestic financing, noting the potential of capital markets, sovereign funds, and public-private partnerships to strengthen health systems.
In his keynote address, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Director of Programme Management, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting sovereign and sustainable health systems across the continent. He emphasized that Africa’s health systems should be designed and driven by Africans themselves, calling for transformative solutions that build resilient communities and long-term structures capable of improving lives at scale.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, stressed the need for strong, equitable, and accessible health systems that prioritize both primary health care and specialized services. She emphasized the essential role of community engagement in empowering people to make informed health decisions and promoting widespread dissemination of reliable health information.
The summit convened senior policymakers, scientists, health professionals, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and representatives from multiple African countries, creating a platform for strategic dialogue and the promotion of African-led innovations. It generated commitments aimed at advancing health sovereignty, resilience, and equity across the continent. The event concluded with Uganda’s Heroes in Health Award ceremony, honoring outstanding individuals and organizations contributing to improved healthcare delivery and outcomes.
