Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, affirmed that the future of healthcare in Africa must be defined by the continent's own priorities and lived realities. He emphasised that while international partnerships are welcome, they must align with African needs and ensure genuine ownership, sustainability, and long-term impact. Speaking at the closing session of the Regional Steering Committee (RESCO) meeting in Cairo, Abdel Ghaffar expressed Egypt's pride in hosting the event and reiterated the country's firm commitment to implementing its outcomes to help deliver tangible improvements in public health across Africa. The minister noted that the discussions were marked by dynamic exchanges on healthcare investment and the need for equitable and sustainable solutions, contributing to the development of a practical and forward-looking roadmap for the continent's health systems. Abdel Ghaffar outlined three strategic priorities agreed upon during the meeting. First, he stressed the urgent need to strengthen domestic health financing. This, he said, requires integrating health into national development strategies and mobilising internal resources to guarantee universal health coverage. The second priority involves enhancing local manufacturing of medicines and medical supplies—an essential step to expand healthcare access, bolster local economies, and reinforce resilience to future health crises. The third key area focuses on accelerating the digital transformation of health systems. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, establishing integrated electronic health records, developing early warning systems, and improving disease surveillance platforms. Abdel Ghaffar pointed to Egypt's own advancements in this area and reaffirmed the country's readiness to support regional efforts in building interoperable digital health networks. In closing, the minister called for stronger regional coordination through technical and steering committees, describing them as essential tools to support both political and technical leadership across the continent. "Let us work together towards a stronger, healthier, and more united Africa," he concluded.
