Ministers responsible for Health from the COMESA region met on Thursday 14 August 2025 for their second meeting to review developments in the health sector. The sector remains key for a successful regional integration agenda. The meeting noted progress such as the establishment of the COMESA Health Desk at the Secretariat with the recruitment of staff.
The Health Desk begun its work in earnest, positioning the Secretariat to better coordinate regional health initiatives, mobilize resources, and strengthen Member States’ capacities to respond to current and future challenges, while working together with technical and development partners.
Zambia’s Vice President, Her Honor Madam Mutale Nalumango, who officially opened the meeting urged the region to develop robust strategies for universal healthcare access and enhanced preparedness for emerging health threats.
Vice President Nalumango highlighted the region’s disproportionate share of the global malaria burden of over 90% and the growing impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now accounts for 37% of deaths across the continent. She also pointed to the rising toll of mental health disorders, calling depression a “growing silent crisis” that imposes significant economic costs.
“In response to these challenges, we must strengthen disease surveillance, integrate mental health into primary healthcare, and build resilient systems to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases,” she said. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on imported medicines, which currently account for over 70% of the region’s supply.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe echoed the Vice President’s concerns, noting the inseparable link between health and economic stability. She thanked the Zambian government for hosting the event and reaffirmed COMESA’s commitment to building resilient health systems across its 21 Member States.
“With a population of over 640 million, COMESA recognizes that public health is critical for regional trade and economic growth,” Ms Kapwepwe said. “COVID-19 taught us that pandemics do not respect borders and while we have overcome that crisis, the next outbreak is inevitable. Therefore, regional preparedness, not just national response, is crucial,” She added.
In a vote of thanks message, Burundi’s Health Minister Hon. Dr Lydwine Baradahana commended the Vice President for gracing the meeting and echoed her call for evidence-based policymaking, investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthened surveillance and the integration of mental health into primary care.
‘’We will need to move beyond resolutions towards concrete action that will make a real difference in the lives of the over 640 million people in our region.”
Countries that attended the hybrid Meeting included Burundi, Zambia, Comoros, Egypt, Seychelles, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mauritius and Rwanda. Key health partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), were also in attendance.