𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗮

A high-stakes conversation on the future of healthcare in Africa is unfolding in Accra, where leaders have converged for an African Union Extraordinary Summit focused on ending AIDS and tuberculosis, tackling preventable maternal deaths, and strengthening health systems across the continent.
Set against the backdrop of lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and growing pressure on fragile health systems, the summit is zeroing in on practical solutions from local pharmaceutical manufacturing to community-driven primary healthcare as Africa pushes to meet its 2030 health targets.
Speaking at the session, Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, made it clear that the time for measured progress has passed and urged leaders to confront the realities still facing the continent.
He noted that while Africa has made significant strides in reducing HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, the continent still bears nearly 70 per cent of global maternal deaths, with close to 200,000 women dying each year from preventable causes.
“No woman should have to risk her life simply because she chose to give life,” he stated.
The Minister also highlighted the gap in universal health coverage, pointing out that Africa’s regional index remains far below the global average, leaving many families forced to choose between healthcare and basic survival.
He called for three urgent priorities,financing health systems with domestic resources, strengthening Africa’s capacity to produce its own medicines and vaccines, and placing primary healthcare at the centre of service delivery.
Hon. Akandoh stressed that the real measure of the summit’s success will not be in declarations, but in tangible outcomes, whether mothers survive childbirth, whether preventable diseases are stopped, and whether families are protected from falling into poverty due to healthcare costs.
As deliberations continue tomorrow, Heads of State and Government will converge for the African Union Assembly, where key decisions on Africa’s health priorities are expected to be considered and adopted, setting the direction for stronger health systems and accelerated action towards achieving the continent’s health goals by 2030.