Forty-seven ministers from the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region have kicked off a regional forum to deliberate on critical health challenges and people-centred solutions.

The forum, holding from August 25 to 27 in Lusaka, Zambia, is the seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, being the continent’s highest decision-making body on health.

Key concerns to be deliberated on in the forum include oral health, chronic blood shortages, rehabilitation services, malaria, health security, and ways to close the continent’s critical health workforce gap.

Opening the forum, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema called on African leaders to prioritise health as a driver of regional trade and industrialisation, asking ministers to take thoughtful lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Hichilema called for “collaboration and a commitment to humanity in making decisions that enhance health and well-being across the region.”

In his contribution, Zambia’s Minister of Health, Elijah Muchima, appealed to participating countries to unite and collaborate more in actively combating the continent’s health challenges.

Mr Muchima said, “We must deepen regional collaboration, share best practices, harness African expertise and innovation, and build long‑term resilience across borders. The outcomes of this session will guide our collective action towards a more secure, equitable, and sustainable future for all.”

WHO’s director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus, noted that the forum is happening at an important time, with a focus on building and delivering robust national health systems and results.

“WHO is working in lockstep with African nations to overcome the financial and security challenges many face and to capitalise on the great potential Africa offers in health. Our goal is clear: to support our Member States in Africa in their drive to build robust national health systems, built on self-reliance, efficacy, and a commitment to deliver health for all,” said Dr Tedros.

Requesting that vulnerable persons be put at the centre of every policy, programme, and partnership, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohammed Janabi, emphasised the importance of collaboration.

“We must build systems that are efficient, inclusive, and sovereign, and we must place people—especially the most vulnerable—at the centre of every policy, programme and partnership,” Mr Janabi said.