The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), through its Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs, has called for intensified political commitment, better accountability mechanisms, and accelerated implementation of African Union (AU) health commitments as it commenced a joint oversight mission with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre in Lusaka.
The joint mission aims to assess national progress in implementing AU health commitments, strengthen collaboration between health authorities and legislators, and accelerate the transformation of Africa’s health systems—particularly in areas such as maternal and neonatal health, epidemic preparedness, and access to essential services. The mission also aims to explore opportunities to integrate traditional medicine into broader health system strengthening.
Speaking at the opening working session with the relevant government ministry, Parliamentarians, technical specialists, civil society, and development partners at the Africa CDC Headquarters in Lusaka, Hon. Prof. Margaret Kamar, Chairperson of the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs underscored the Pan-African Parliament’s mandate to ensure that AU policies—particularly those related to health—are fully implemented for the benefit of African citizens.
“Access to quality, equitable, and affordable healthcare is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right,” she stated. “Health is the foundation of productive societies, stable economies, and resilient nations.”
She commended Africa CDC for its leadership in recent public health emergencies, including COVID-19, Ebola, and Mpox, noting the institution’s role in coordination, surveillance, laboratory systems, and vaccine deployment.
“Africa CDC has proven to be a pillar of resilience and a true model of Africa-led public health excellence,” she noted.
Hon. Prof. Kamar highlighted that the oversight mission is essential to translating AU commitments into tangible results. She cited continental frameworks such as the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Malaria, the CARMMA initiative, and the Abuja Declaration, noting that progress depends on stronger political will and sustained financing.
“Too often, AU decisions remain on paper because of gaps in coordination, monitoring, and resource allocation,” she said. “This mission strengthens the accountability chain that ensures our policies deliver impact on the ground.”
She further emphasised the critical value of the collaboration with Africa CDC’s Southern Africa Regional Office.
“By engaging directly with regional teams, we gain a clearer understanding of the challenges and innovations at the national level and can advocate more effectively for legislative and budgetary action,” she added.
Hon. Prof. Kamar concluded by calling for unity in safeguarding Africa’s health security.
“Health security knows no borders. An outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere. Our solidarity is our strength as we work toward a healthier, safer, and more resilient Africa.”
Africa CDC Presents Strong Case for Africa’s Health Sovereignty
The Africa CDC delivered a compelling presentation on the continent’s health vulnerabilities and the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s Health Sovereignty. Presenting on behalf of the institution, Dr. Lul P. Riek, Regional Director – Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, stressed that recent outbreaks have exposed major weaknesses in Africa’s health systems.
“COVID-19, Mpox, Marburg and other health events have shown that Africa cannot continue relying on external supply chains,” said Dr. Riek. “Our continent faces a high disease burden but remains heavily dependent on external health supplies. Existing global health policies have failed Africa many times.”
Dr. Riek emphasised that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and long-term health security cannot be achieved without health sovereignty.
“Africa cannot build a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient future without controlling its own health destiny,” he stated.
Africa CDC outlined five pillars essential to achieving health sovereignty:
- Reform of the global health architecture
- Institutionalisation of the continental PPPR agenda
- Domestic and innovative financing for health
- Data and digital transformation with sovereign governance
- African manufacturing and pharmaceutical supply chain capacity
On the importance of data ownership, Dr. Riek noted:
“Sovereign health data ensures that Member States retain jurisdiction over the health information generated within their borders. It guarantees that solutions—whether digital platforms, AI tools, or surveillance systems—reflect Africa’s disease burden and social context, not imported models.”
He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand Africa’s manufacturing capacity through vaccine trials, technology transfer, and innovation partnerships.
“We are now conducting trials for Lassa Fever and Mpox mRNA vaccines and have launched Africa’s first drug substance for an oral cholera vaccine,” he revealed.
Africa CDC stressed that operationalising health sovereignty requires a bottom-up approach, with well-costed plans, domestic co-financing, partner alignment, and private sector involvement.
“International collaboration is important, but it must support—not replace—domestic capacity,” Dr. Riek said. “African challenges require African-led solutions rooted in local expertise and local institutions.”
Collective Commitment to a Safer, Healthier Continent
The joint oversight mission will continue throughout the week with engagements with relevant stakeholders. Its findings will inform stronger national oversight mechanisms, drive the domestication of AU health frameworks, and support the continent’s broader push for health sovereignty.
