Kigali: As Africa faces multiple health crises, stakeholders at the ongoing Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, called for urgent reforms to strengthen the continent's health systems.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference is organised by Amref Health Africa in partnership with Rwanda's Ministry of Health, WHO Africa, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). It comes at a critical moment as the continent grapples with constrained fiscal resources, rising health inequalities, and emerging disease outbreaks.
In Kigali, Rwanda is marking a historic milestone in Africa's journey toward health resilience. Under the theme 'Connected for Change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health', AHAIC 2025 celebrates a decade of African-led thought leadership. It provides a unique platform for high-level discussions, stakeholder engagement, and exploring cutting-edge innovations to shape a self-reliant Africa amid declining aid and economic challenges. The conference serves as a vital Africa-led platform to connect the continent with the rest of the world.
Speaking at the event, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa, underscored the importance of collective action in tackling Africa's evolving health challenges. He stressed that the threat of infectious diseases still exists and emphasized the need for collaboration across borders, as a threat in one country is a threat to the entire region.
Amref Health Africa CEO, Dr Githinji Gitahi, noted the ongoing burden of infectious diseases and the rising threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa. He highlighted that urgent reforms are crucial to build a responsive, resilient, and sustainable health system. Gitahi called for a revisit of the Alma-Ata Declaration to strengthen primary healthcare as a cornerstone for universal health coverage, emphasizing the need for better health financing.
Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, shared insights into the country's approach to health financing, digital transformation, and epidemic preparedness. He highlighted Rwanda's focus on tailored solutions, increasing investments in the health workforce, infrastructure, and digital technology to improve service delivery.
Experts at AHAIC 2025 stressed the importance of innovative financing mechanisms to bridge funding gaps due to Africa's limited fiscal space. Ms Lolem Ngong, Chief of Staff at Amref Health Africa, noted that the conference is expected to yield concrete policy recommendations to shape Africa's health agenda in the coming years. Stakeholders expressed optimism that with bold leadership, strategic investments, and sustained collaboration, Africa could build a health system capable of meeting the needs of its people and withstanding future challenges.