Health CS Aden Duale has positioned Africa as a rising force in shaping global health systems, calling for stronger partnerships, innovation and community-led resilience during a high-level side event at the 79th World Health Assembly.
Speaking during the session, Duale reflected on the outcomes of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting held in Nairobi, describing it as a major turning point for the continent’s health agenda.
He said the Nairobi meeting demonstrated that Africa is no longer a passive recipient of global health solutions, but an active architect of resilient, innovative and sustainable healthcare systems.
CS Duale emphasized that resilience must be built from the grassroots, drawing lessons from both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-related shocks that exposed vulnerabilities in health systems across the continent.
Taifa Care and UHC Reforms in Focus
He pointed to Kenya’s ongoing Universal Health Coverage rollout and the Taifa Care reforms as examples of how governments can strengthen healthcare delivery through people-centered policies.
According to Duale, the reforms are focused on expanding primary healthcare, accelerating digitalisation and ensuring health services reach every household across the country.
Innovation, he noted, should now be treated as a continental public good.
He highlighted Africa’s growing capabilities in digital health, biotechnology and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, adding that Kenya is positioning itself as a regional hub for health innovation and medical advancement.
Call for Partnerships and Accountability
The CS further called for stronger cross-sector collaboration involving governments, development partners, private sector players and research institutions.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond high-level discussions and focus on implementation, accountability and measurable outcomes that directly improve healthcare access for citizens.
“Africa is ready to lead through co-creation, shared leadership and meaningful contribution to global health security,” Duale said.
His remarks come at a time when many African countries are pushing for greater self-reliance in healthcare financing, manufacturing and disease response systems following the disruptions witnessed during the pandemic.
Duale was joined at the event by Nicholus Muraguri, who represented the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in advancing Kenya’s global health diplomacy agenda.
The side event brought together policymakers, health experts and international partners to discuss Africa’s evolving role in shaping the future of global health governance.
