SADC Ministers Hold Extraordinary Meeting to Address Health Challenges in the Region
The Committee of Ministers of Health and Ministers Responsible for HIV and AIDS of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual meeting on February 21, 2025, to discuss pressing health issues affecting the region.
The meeting followed a directive from the Ministers during their session on November 7, 2024, in Harare, Zimbabwe, to finalize critical health-related matters and documents for adoption.
The extraordinary meeting was preceded by a gathering of Senior Officials on February 20, 2025, chaired by Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe. The Ministers’ meeting was officially opened and chaired by Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe and Chair of the SADC Ministerial Committee on Health.
In her opening remarks, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angéle Makombo N`Tumba, emphasized the urgency of the meeting amid ongoing public health threats, including COVID-19, cholera, Marburg, Ebola, Mpox, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. She highlighted the impact of climate-sensitive diseases and challenges such as fragmented health systems, inequitable access to medicines, and inadequate pandemic preparedness.
“The Ministers must not only reflect on the crises we face but also forge a unified path toward resilience and equity,” she stated.
The Ministers deliberated on multiple health issues, including the status of Mpox in the African region, the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania, and the need for increased support from International Cooperating Partners to combat these outbreaks. They also discussed the SADC TB Strategic Plan 2025-2030 and strategies to sustain malaria elimination efforts in the region.
To combat cross-border transmission of diseases, Member States were urged to share outbreak information promptly and implement preventive measures. The Ministers also reviewed the SADC Pooled Procurement Services (SPPS) initiative, approving the Draft Business Plan to establish SPPS as an Autonomous Regional Organisation of Subsidiarity. They recommended its approval by the SADC Council.
Recognizing critical shortages of medical products due to funding constraints, the Ministers endorsed the initiation of SADC Pooled Procurement Services under a Group Contracting model. This interim measure will enable willing Member States to jointly negotiate prices for essential medical products and commodities.
The meeting reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to strengthening regional health security, enhancing collaboration among Member States, and ensuring sustainable solutions to health challenges facing Southern Africa.
