A critical gathering is on the horizon: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is set to co-convene the 3rd Regional Advisory Committee Meeting on Health Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa, and it's a big deal. This meeting, happening in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 18-20, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, brings together key players to fortify health systems against future crises.
This initiative, backed by the World Bank, isn't just a meeting; it's a strategic move to boost health security across the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region. The participating countries include: Ethiopia, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, with Angola and Tanzania expected to join in later phases.
The Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) is the guiding force behind this program. Its mission? To provide strategic direction, encourage regional teamwork, make sure national and regional goals align, and strengthen the involvement of all stakeholders. Think of it as the program's steering wheel, with representatives from the participating countries at the helm, and IGAD and ECSA-HC acting as the coordinating Secretariat.
So, what's on the agenda for this crucial meeting?
- Review Progress: Taking stock of what's been achieved and the hurdles faced since the last meeting in Addis Ababa in November 2024.
- Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Enhancing cooperation among countries and key players.
- Knowledge Sharing: Exchanging valuable lessons and best practices for the benefit of the entire region.
- Learning Agenda: Presenting and approving the HEPRR program's learning agenda.
What are the expected outcomes?
- Policy recommendations to speed up the implementation of the HEPRR-MPA.
- Enhanced regional coordination and collaboration.
- Thorough documentation of lessons learned.
- Approval of the program's learning agenda.
Let's break down the structure of the meeting:
- Pre-RAC Technical Session (November 17): Focusing on country-specific progress, standardized reporting, and aligning technical viewpoints.
- Main RAC Meeting (November 18–19): Strategic discussions on implementation challenges, regional collaboration, and policy alignment.
- Field Visit (November 20): Delegates will get a firsthand look at health emergency preparedness initiatives led by the Zambian Ministry of Health.
The meeting will draw a high-level crowd, including Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Health, Project Managers, Directors of National Public Health Institutes, regulatory authorities, international development partners, and representatives from IGAD, ECSA-HC, WHO, Africa CDC, the African Union, and other regional organizations. Expect presentations, panel discussions, and expert dialogues designed to generate actionable solutions.
The opening ceremony on November 18, 2025, will be presided over by Hon. Dr. Elijah Muchima, Minister of Health, Government of Zambia.
Media representatives are invited to cover the opening and closing sessions. Accredited journalists will have the opportunity to interview Ministers, IGAD and ECSA-HC leadership, and key development partners.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Jaqueline Sitali, Head of Communications and Public Relations, Ministry of Health, Zambia, at jacquelinesitali23@gmail.com
- Owen Mwandumbya, Communication and Advocacy Specialist, East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), at omwandumbya@ecsahc.org
- Bob Nuwagira, Communications Expert, Division of Health and Social Development, IGAD Secretariat, at Bob.Nuwagira@Igad.int
But here's where it gets controversial... The success of these initiatives hinges on international cooperation and resource allocation. Could differing national priorities or funding limitations hinder the program's progress? And this is the part most people miss... the long-term sustainability of these efforts. How can the region ensure these health systems remain resilient long after the immediate crisis has passed?
What do you think? Are you optimistic about the impact of this regional initiative? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
