Team Europe and African Partners Launch Regional SRHR Health Programme
A new regional health programme aimed at strengthening health systems and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services across East and Southern Africa has been launched during the International Conference on Public Health in Africa in Durban.
The initiative, titled Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity in East and Southern Africa (RAISE SRHR), is a joint effort by Team Europe, which includes the European Union (EU), Germany, and Sweden, working in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), GIZ, and UN agencies such as UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO.
With an investment of EUR 19 million, the programme seeks to enhance access to essential SRHR services and commodities, strengthen data and accountability systems, and promote regional pooled procurement and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Speaking at the launch, H.E. Petra Pereyra, EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, reaffirmed Team Europe’s commitment to partnership and human rights, saying, “We are investing in health systems that deliver, strengthening SRHR data and ensuring access to essential health commodities.”
Eric Nzeyimana, EAC Principal Health Officer, described the initiative as a milestone, adding that it builds upon ongoing efforts to improve health data use, ensure access to quality SRHR commodities, and reduce inequalities.
Dr Lamboly Kumboneki, SADC Senior Programme Officer, said the programme supports regional ambitions to build resilient health systems and improve access to affordable medicines.
Ms Simone Goertz, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Botswana, highlighted the importance of regional pharmaceutical production, noting that it aligns with Germany’s support for gender equality and regional value chain development.
Ms Elisabeth Hårleman, Sweden’s Head of Development Cooperation, emphasised that health and SRHR are essential to social, gender, and economic inclusion, which remain priorities for Sweden’s global assistance.
