Bujumbura, February 9, 2023: –Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Dr. Josephine Mburu has called for harmonized efforts towards pandemic response across the East Africa Region. Speaking at the 23rd Sectoral Council of Health Ministers in East Africa that was held in Bujumbura, Burundi Dr. Mburu noted that free movement of people increases the likelihood of spread of epidemics across the region.
“The COVID19 pandemic and other re-emerging diseases like Ebola have taught us that health insecurity in one nation is insecurity everywhere, particularly in our region where there is free movement of people. It is therefore a call to pool our pandemic preparedness and control capacities, harmonize health professional standards and adopt a community approach as we source for public health goods and innovations for cost effectiveness. “She urged.
She also called on the community to join efforts to strengthen respective health systems, utilize health resources efficiently and to fully operationalize the Regional Centers of Excellence to ensure access to specialized treatment locally. This, the PS said will accelerate attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the region.
“I wish to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to regional health priorities and call upon us all to work together to address our shared health challenges towards better quality of life in our region.” She said.
