Johannesburg, South Africa | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3 December – The launch of the Continental Secretariat of the Lusaka Agenda, hosted by Africa CDC, marks a critical step in transforming healthcare across Africa. The Secretariat will coordinate implementation and accountability mechanisms to advance the Agenda’s objectives.
Unveiled on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, 12 December 2023, the Lusaka Agenda provides a roadmap for strengthening and sustainably financing health systems to achieve equitable access to healthcare. Championing this initiative, His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and AU Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, emphasised its focus on health equity and accountability through platforms like the Africa Leadership Meeting.
Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General, elaborated: “The Lusaka Agenda Secretariat, housed at Africa CDC, will work with partners to develop the Lusaka Agenda Monitoring and Accountability Framework and a continental scorecard for timely reporting to AU Heads of State. Through the Secretariat, AU Member States will better leverage global health initiatives to complement domestic financing, maximising health impacts in support of country-led priorities.”
The Secretariat will drive five strategic shifts to transform Africa’s health systems and shape the evolution of Global Health Initiatives (GHIs): strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) as the foundation of resilient health systems, fostering sustainable financing through domestic investments, advancing health equity, ensuring strategic coherence across programmes, and coordinating research, development, and regional manufacturing to address global health gaps.
By prioritising these shifts, PHC will anchor Africa’s preparedness, prevention, and response to public health challenges. President Ramaphosa affirmed: “The Lusaka Agenda is a political commitment endorsed by African Heads of State to achieve health equity and strengthen primary healthcare across the continent. I call on all stakeholders to support Africa CDC’s leadership and fully commit to the accountability framework, ensuring transparency and measurable progress toward a healthier, more resilient Africa.”
Strengthening Implementation
In line with AU Assembly Decision Dec. 880 (XXXVII), the Secretariat reinforces Africa CDC’s leadership in implementing the Lusaka Agenda. The agency will coordinate implementation, monitor progress, and report regularly to AU Heads of State. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and inclusivity, it ensures no country is left behind in achieving the Agenda’s goals.
The Secretariat’s establishment underscores Africa’s dedication to building equitable, sustainable healthcare systems and represents a pivotal step toward achieving UHC and strengthening public health resilience across the continent.
###
About the Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a continental autonomous public health agency of the African Union that supports member states in efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, and prevention and control of diseases.
Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
Media Contacts
Margaret Edwin | Director of Communication and Public Information | Africa CDC EdwinM@africacdc.org
