Africa Health Summit Launches in Kampala to Advance Health Sovereignty
KAMPALA, Uganda – In a significant move to reshape the continent’s healthcare landscape, health leaders from 25 African nations convened at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala for the inaugural Africa Health Summit.
The summit, officiated by the Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, is being held under the theme: “Reclaiming Africa’s Health Future: From Dependency to Sovereignty through Innovation and Solidarity.”
A central message of the event was the urgent need for the continent to reduce its reliance on foreign aid and build self-sufficient health systems. Uganda’s Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng, underscored this point by highlighting that Africa bears 94% of the global malaria burden. She called for increased investment in local scientists and the domestic production of medicines to address this and other health challenges.
The summit also served as a platform to showcase successful homegrown initiatives. Panel discussions highlighted Rwanda’s achievement of 98% health insurance coverage and South Sudan’s use of solar power to energize its health facilities.
The inaugural event coincides with the Heroes in Health Awards, which honor African innovators making significant contributions in fields such as palliative care, nutrition, and community health.
About The Author
