In collaboration with the Health Community of Central and Southern Africa, the World Bank, and the Zambian Ministry of Health, the meeting will run until November 20 with the aim of strengthening the resilience of the health system and multi-sectoral action to such events in the East and Southern African region.

According to an IGAD press release, representatives from Ethiopia, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Sao Tome and Príncipe, Malawi, Mozambique, and the host country are participating. Angola and Tanzania are expected to join in future phases.

It brings together permanent secretaries from ministries of health, project managers, directors of national public health institutes, regulatory authorities, and international development partners.

It also includes representatives from the World Health Organization, the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and other regional organizations.

The sessions will feature presentations, panel discussions, and expert-led dialogues to drive solutions-oriented outcomes.

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