African leaders will convene in Accra for an Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government under President John Dramani Mahama to discuss ways to improve healthcare systems and promote universal health coverage throughout the continent.
“Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa” is the theme of the two-day summit, which is set for July 21–22, 2026.
African heads of state and government, ministers of health, finance, and foreign affairs, the African Union Commission, regional economic communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth leaders, and private sector stakeholders are anticipated to attend.
A statement released on Tuesday, July 21 notes that the summit’s main objectives would be to improve member state cooperation and create workable plans to hasten Africa’s transition to universal access to high-quality healthcare.
Experts from the Ministries of Health, Finance, and Economic Planning will meet technically on Tuesday, July 21, as part of the summit’s first phase. The conversations will lay the groundwork for important choices that African leaders will take into consideration during the Heads of State meeting.
On Wednesday, July 22, the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government will convene to discuss and approve policies that would further Africa’s health goals, such as putting the African Union Roadmap to 2030 into action.
Ghana’s commitment to advancing equitable healthcare delivery and taking the lead in Africa’s health transformation agenda is reflected in the country’s decision to host the continental health summit.
The launch of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the creation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, were among the health initiatives carried out under President Mahama’s administration that were highlighted in the statement.
According to the government, these initiatives are a component of larger initiatives to increase healthcare access, enhance health finance, and promote the advancement of universal health coverage.
The AU summit’s goals are in line with President Mahama’s prioritisation of investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness, and regional pharmaceutical production.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, will lead a side event on maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent survival during the summit in collaboration with the Accra Reset.
The government has reassured stakeholders and participating nations that Ghana is prepared to host the summit and collaborate with AU members to create long-term solutions to enhance health outcomes throughout the continent.
It is anticipated that the gathering would give African leaders a platform to bolster group efforts to lower disease burdens, increase access to healthcare, and accomplish the objective of universal health coverage by 2030.
Source: newsthemegh.com