AU Ministers Unite Behind Major Push to Strengthen Africa’s Health Workforce
African Union health and finance ministers, together with Heads of Delegations, have called for urgent and sustained investment in Africa’s health workforce to strengthen health security and advance universal health coverage. The appeal was made at a High-Level Side Event during the 39th AU Assembly, co organised with Africa CDC and the AU Commission.
Leaders highlighted the essential role of community health workers and strong immunisation systems, warning that Africa’s severe workforce shortage threatens outbreak detection and basic health services. Despite that more than one million CHWs are now deployed, coverage remains well below global benchmarks, and most programmes still lack stable domestic financing.
The meeting underscored the strong economic returns of investing in health workers and urged countries to prioritise workforce financing, protect frontline spending and use AU accountability tools. Leaders concluded by endorsing a declaration committing to accelerated investment in Africa’s health workforce.
📥 Read the full brief in your preferred language:
👉 English PDF – Africa CDC Weekly Brief | 9 – 15 February 2026
👉 Version française – Bulletin Hebdomadaire d’Africa CDC | 9 – 15 Fevrier 2026
🔗 For direct inquiries or media engagement: communications@africacdc.org
