A case for accelerated health integration in Africa

Abstract

“Healthcare cooperation is key to achieving aspiration 1 and goal 1 of Africa’s Agenda 2063 as well as SDG 3 on ensuring healthy lives and wellbeing for all.” This is according to a communiqué issued at the end of a virtual meeting on the regional impacts of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar, which took place on 13 May 2020 was convened by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to explore possibilities and opportunities for accelerated health integration in Africa. The webinar served as a platform for participants to discuss the findings of some analytical work done by ECA SROs and headquarter Divisions on the impact of COVID-19 on RECs and their member states. The communiqué noted that leveraging on the AfCFTA framework to coordinate the development of regional medical hubs, along with the harmonization of healthcare regulations, will allow Africa to become more self-sufficient for its growing healthcare needs.