WHO Urges Stronger Regional Public Health Collabor...

WHO Urges Stronger Regional Public Health Collaboration

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

The World Health Organization (WHO) called for enhanced regional collaboration to strengthen public health systems across Africa, as delegates gather in Harare for the 4th Annual Regional National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) Meeting.

The three day meeting, taking place at Rainbow Towers Hotel from June 25–27, brings together representatives from Southern African countries, Africa CDC, WHO, the European Union, and various public health institutions to discuss the establishment and strengthening of NPHIs.

WHO Representative to Zimbabwe Dr Desta A Tiruneh said the forum comes at a crucial time for the global health sector.

“This meeting is taking place at a critical time, where health systems globally face mounting pressure to address a wide range of population health needs in the face of declining development assistance,” Dr Tiruneh said.

“This leaves communities vulnerable to increasingly complex and evolving public health challenges.”

The COVID-19 pandemic was cited by participants as a wake up call, exposing the fragility of many health systems and the urgent need to invest in infrastructure that supports health promotion, prevention, preparedness, and resilience.

In his keynote address, Dr Tiruneh echoed WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ call for coordinated action.

“To achieve universal health coverage and health security around the world, we must coordinate our efforts to support all countries in building the public health capacities needed to protect and promote health and achieve equitable access to services,” he said.

The meeting will also feature the presentation of WHO’s newly released guidance on Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs), a framework developed to align public health systems with the evolving needs of populations and bridge the gap between health security and universal health coverage.

Key themes under discussion include investment in national public health infrastructure, the central role of NPHIs in epidemic response and workforce development, and the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in tackling the social determinants of health.

“NPHIs serve as national centres of public health expertise and coordination,” Dr Tiruneh said. “They work with ministries of health to streamline strategies, align efforts, and mobilise partnerships across sectors.”

WHO commended the leadership of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care, Africa CDC, and the continued support from the European Union in advancing Africa’s public health agenda.

As deliberations continue, delegates are expected to produce a set of recommendations focused on governance, sustainable financing, and institutional resilience.

“We stand ready,” Dr Tiruneh said, “to walk hand in hand with governments, Africa CDC, the EU, and our partners to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and global health security.”