DAR ES SALAAM: AFRICAN countries, including Tanzania, have reaffirmed their growing role in regional health diplomacy following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSAHC).
The agreement, signed yesterday, aims to strengthen health cooperation across the region and establishes a structured framework for joint action to improve health outcomes and build resilient health systems among ECSAHC’s nine member states, including Tanzania.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Janabi, said the partnership reflects renewed emphasis on regional solutions as Africa grapples with multiple and overlapping health challenges.
“This MoU is not only about cooperation between institutions, but more importantly about delivering better health outcomes for Africans, especially the most vulnerable across East, Central and Southern Africa,” said Prof Janabi.
He noted that no single institution can effectively respond to today’s complex health threats alone, citing the region’s burden of disease outbreaks, climate-related shocks and constrained global health financing.
Prof Janabi revealed that WHO Africa has undergone internal reforms following a funding shortfall of about 1.5 billion US dollars earlier this year, which resulted in staff reductions across the region.
Despite these constraints, he said the organisation has continued to support countries in containing outbreaks and strengthening emergency responses.
He further warned that climate change is intensifying health risks by triggering droughts and floods, increasing displacement and expanding environments where diseases can spread.
He added that antimicrobial resistance and rising obesity levels are placing additional pressure on already stretched health systems.
Under the MoU, WHO AFRO and ECSA-HC will collaborate in key priority areas, including strengthening primary health care, disease prevention and control, health workforce development, digital health transformation, regulatory harmonisation, research and innovation, as well as preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
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The agreement is aligned with WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14) for 2025–2028, which prioritises universal health coverage, stronger health security and preparedness for future pandemics, alongside progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
ECSA-HC Director General, Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, said the MoU builds on long-standing cooperation and enhances the region’s collective capacity to support member states.
“This MoU strengthens our collaboration with WHO AFRO and enhances our ability to support countries in building resilient, equitable and peoplecentred health systems,” he said.
“Together, we will advance regional solutions that respond to shared priorities and challenges.”
Tanzania, which hosts the ECSA-HC Secretariat in Arusha, was commended for providing a platform for regional coordination and dialogue at a time when Africa is facing more than 110 active disease outbreaks, including Ebola, mpox, cholera, polio and Marburg virus disease.
The MoU will be implemented through a joint plan of action with clear activities, timelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and measurable impact.
All ECSA-HC member states are also WHO members, enabling faster coordination at both political and technical levels.
As a key regional host and beneficiary, Tanzania is expected to gain from strengthened cross-border cooperation, shared expertise and harmonised health strategies, reinforcing its commitment to regional integration and the principle that no one should be left behind in access to quality health care.