African Heads of State and Government are set to converge in Accra for a landmark African Union (AU) Extraordinary Health Summit focused on securing a coordinated and fully funded response to the continent’s major health challenges.
The two-day summit, scheduled for July 21 and 22, will seek to adopt a fully costed continental roadmap to guide efforts to end AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030.
The meeting will also focus on strategies to reduce preventable maternal deaths and address communicable and non-communicable diseases that continue to place significant pressure on health systems across Africa.
A key priority of the summit will be strengthening the continent’s health systems and developing coordinated interventions capable of delivering measurable progress by 2030.
Ahead of the meeting, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, called for broad participation from governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society and health professionals.
He urged stakeholders to use the summit to build a stronger continental commitment to improving health outcomes and making African communities more resilient.
“I call upon member-states, partners, the private sector, civil society, health professionals and all Africans to join us in Accra as we forge a new continental compact for healthier communities and a more prosperous Africa,” he said.
“Together we can build the Africa we want; healthy, resilient and prepared for the future,” he added.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for African leaders to align political commitments with practical financing and implementation measures as the continent seeks to accelerate progress towards its 2030 health targets.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to shape continental efforts to mobilise resources, strengthen healthcare delivery and improve Africa’s preparedness to respond to existing and emerging health threats.
