Joseph Isangura
Senior health officials from across East Africa are meeting this week in Arusha, Tanzania to shape the future of healthcare cooperation in the region.
The high-level gathering, which began on May 5 and will run until May 9, is being hosted at the East African Community (EAC) Headquarters and brings together experts, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and set new goals for public health across member states.
The series of meetings includes a Senior Officials’ Meeting from May 5 to 7, followed by a session of General Secretaries on May 8. These sessions will help prepare key documents and recommendations for the 25th Sectoral Council of Health Ministers meeting scheduled for May 9.
Opening the meeting on behalf of Tanzania’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, Engineer Abdillah Mataka from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation called on experts to focus on practical, technical discussions. He said this approach would help ministers and permanent secretaries make informed decisions to improve healthcare for all citizens in the region.
Mataka also reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to working closely with other EAC member states to improve health services. He outlined several regional priorities, including the integration of health systems, enhanced collaboration in responding to infectious disease outbreaks, improved access to medical technology, and stronger management structures within the sector.
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Representing the EAC Secretariat, Dr. Erick Nzeyimana noted that the meeting comes at a time when many African countries are facing a decline in foreign aid, particularly from the United States. He emphasized the need to align health initiatives with available resources, while still aiming to deliver sustainable and high-quality services.
Despite the challenges, Nzeyimana highlighted significant progress. He pointed to improved access to essential medicines, increased budget allocations by member states, and continued support from development partners. He also announced a new agreement through which the EAC will receive €12 million to support regional health goals.
Other topics on the agenda include strategies to address non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the expansion of mobile health resources, and support for centres of excellence to meet specific medical needs in the region.
The week’s meetings are expected to shape a stronger and more resilient East African health system—one better equipped to serve its people through regional unity and cooperation.
