At the 2023 Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), leaders, scientists, and health experts called for innovative strategies to position Africa as a key player in the global health architecture. Themed “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture,” the event, held from November 27-30 in Lusaka, Zambia, brought together stakeholders to discuss African-led solutions to public health challenges.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) organized the conference, which focused on the need for a comprehensive approach to public health, emphasizing equity, technology, and collaboration. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, highlighted the importance of thinking beyond traditional healthcare models and embracing technology, social justice, and collaboration to tackle Africa’s public health challenges. He noted that these elements are crucial in addressing the structural barriers that have long impeded Africa’s health progress.

Kaseya emphasized five guiding principles for repositioning Africa’s health sector: community, connectivity, capacity, collaboration, and climate. He stressed that communities are the foundation for building a healthier Africa, especially as the continent faces high maternal mortality rates, with 38 out of the 40 countries with the highest maternal mortality located in Africa. He also called for urgent solutions to address the shortage of community health workers.

Regarding climate change, Kaseya noted that Africa experiences more than 100 outbreaks per year, with 75 percent being zoonotic in origin. He reiterated Africa CDC’s commitment to adopting a One-Health approach to tackle these challenges.

In addition, he pointed out that fewer than 10 percent of African countries are equipped with skilled health workers capable of responding to major outbreaks. He called for strengthening Africa’s medical manufacturing capabilities to enhance self-reliance and reduce vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), expressed optimism about Africa’s pivotal role in shaping global health in the future, emphasizing that political will is essential to achieve this goal.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnerships among African leaders to build a resilient public health system. He emphasized that a holistic approach to health, addressing individuals, families, and communities, is key to progress.

Prof. Margaret Gyapong, Co-Chair of CPHIA 2023, praised Africa’s advances in health technology innovations, such as mobile health applications and telemedicine platforms. She also highlighted the Digital Disease Surveillance initiative by Africa CDC, which enhances real-time disease surveillance across the continent. She emphasized the importance of scaling up successful health innovations and sharing best practices to ensure broader access to life-saving technologies.

In conclusion, the leaders and experts at CPHIA 2023 stressed that Africa has a unique opportunity to transform its public health landscape. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology, Africa can create resilient health systems capable of addressing future public health challenges.