By Nkeletsang Morapedi
A renewed wave of solidarity, urgency, and political commitment swept through Southern Africa last week as Ministers of Health and senior representatives from ten African Union Member States gathered in Lilongwe, Malawi, for the 4th Southern Africa Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (ReSCO) Meeting. Convened under the theme “One Region, One Health, One Future,” the meeting underscored the urgent need for strengthened health financing, climate resilience, and outbreak preparedness across the region.
The meeting, held from 24 to 25 July 2025 and hosted by the Government of Malawi, was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Health, Hon. Khumbize Chiponda, on behalf of the Right Honourable Vice President, Dr. Michael Biswick Usi. Against the backdrop of mounting health pressures driven by climate change, disease outbreaks, and fragile health infrastructure, the gathering served as a rallying point for nations to unite around a shared health vision.
In his powerful keynote address, Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), ignited the atmosphere with a compelling call for a continental health transformation. He urged African leaders to champion the continent’s health destiny, warning that the region’s future will only be secured through robust investments in regional institutions, local manufacturing, and sustainable health systems. “Africa’s health future must be shaped by African leaders, for African people,” he said, laying out a vision of self-reliance, innovation, and coordinated action.
The ministers embraced that vision wholeheartedly, and over the course of two days, their deliberations gave rise to landmark decisions that will significantly shape Southern Africa’s health architecture. One of the major outcomes was the appointment of Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Douglas T. Mombeshora, as the Regional Champion for Climate and Health. This signals heightened recognition of the nexus between environmental degradation and public health vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Namibia’s Health Minister, Hon. Dr Esperance Luvindao, was designated Regional Champion for the Lusaka Agenda on Health Financing, a critical step to galvanise domestic resource mobilisation and reduce overreliance on external aid.
The meeting was also a stage for strong declarations of unity. Hon. Dr Luvindao, in her opening remarks, issued a clarion call for collective resilience and regional action in facing shared health challenges. Echoing her sentiment, Zambia’s Minister of Health and Chair of the Africa CDC Governing Board, Hon. Dr Elijah Muchima, reminded delegates that “One Region, One Health, One Future” is more than a slogan—it is a strategic blueprint for coordinated health action and policy alignment.
Key technical advancements were also recorded. Member States adopted the Southern Africa Region Annual Report and endorsed pivotal recommendations from the 8th Ordinary and 9th Extraordinary Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) meetings. These included implementation steps for the Continental Immunisation Strategy (CIS), and enhancements to community-based outbreak surveillance—a critical tool as the region braces for more climate-sensitive epidemics. Furthermore, the Committee adopted Africa CDC’s “Green Book” vision, a bold continental pact that reimagines the future of health financing, governance, and delivery.
An emotional high point of the meeting was the Southern Africa ReSCO Award Ceremony, which celebrated distinguished health leaders for their exemplary service. Dr Jean Kaseya was honoured for his visionary leadership at Africa CDC, while Dr Kalumbi Shangula, former Health Minister of Namibia, and Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo, former Health Minister of Zambia, were applauded for their legacy of public service and regional solidarity. Special commendation was also reserved for Dr Lul P. Riek, Regional Director of the Southern Africa RCC, whose behind-the-scenes work in establishing and coordinating the regional health centre has been instrumental.
Beyond the awards and speeches, the deeper message of the gathering was unmistakable: Africa’s health transformation will not be delivered by donor projects or distant institutions, but by bold, united leadership from within. The ministers recommitted to the African Union’s 2 Million Community Health Workers Initiative, the Lusaka Agenda, and building resilient public health systems that leave no community behind.
As the curtains closed on the Lilongwe meeting, the resolve was clear. With renewed political will, aligned regional strategies, and a growing sense of continental ownership, Southern Africa is entering a new era—one defined not just by dialogue, but by delivery. The Africa CDC has sounded the call: the time for words is over; it is time to act—invest in health workers, empower institutions, and forge a future where no African is left behind.
Namibia will carry the baton forward, having been selected as host of the 5th ReSCO Meeting in 2026, with expectations high that the momentum built in Lilongwe will translate into lasting regional impact.
About Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control.