Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Health ministers from across the Southern African region will meet in Johannesburg next week to review progress on HIV, TB, malaria and other shared health challenges.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
South Africa will next week host a high-level meeting of health ministers from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as the region confronts persistent HIV and tuberculosis infections, malaria risks and rising non-communicable diseases.
The two-day summit, scheduled for February 23 and 24 at the Sandton Hotel, will bring together Ministers of Health and other ministers responsible for HIV and AIDS to review progress on regional health commitments and strengthen collaboration in responding to shared challenges.
According to the Department of Health, the SADC region continues to face a “triple burden” of disease characterised by high HIV prevalence, tuberculosis and malaria. The situation is compounded by the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases and climate-related health threats such as cholera outbreaks.
The region accounts for at least one-third of all people living with HIV globally, while eight SADC member states are among the countries with the highest TB rates. About 75% of the population in the region remains at risk of contracting malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that continues to claim lives.
Departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale said the meeting comes at a critical time for coordinated regional action.
“The SADC region continues to face a complex burden of disease, including high HIV and TB prevalence, persistent malaria transmission, rising non-communicable diseases and the growing impact of climate-related health risks,” Mohale said.
He added that the summit would prioritise improved coordination of disease outbreak responses, particularly in strengthening cross-border collaboration and ensuring timely sharing of information during health emergencies.
Regional health ministers will be joined by representatives from international organisations including the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF.
Key issues on the agenda include ending the TB epidemic in the Southern African region, malaria control and elimination strategies, implementation of the SADC Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Strategy and Scorecard, strengthening the Regional Health Financing Hub, and assessing the state of healthcare services in correctional facilities.
Hosting the summit provides South Africa with an opportunity to reinforce its leadership role in shaping the regional health agenda, building on the diplomatic momentum generated by its hosting of major international engagements in recent years.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to influence coordinated policy direction across the bloc, particularly in strengthening health systems and accelerating progress toward epidemic control targets in one of the world’s most heavily burdened regions.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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