Dr Ouma Oluga Calls for Investment in Local Manufacturing and Global Collaboration at WHA78 Panel

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚, 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝- 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, joined a high-level panel discussion on pandemic preparedness hosted by Unitaid on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The session brought together senior health leaders from across the globe to exchange strategies and share lessons learnt from recent health emergencies.

Dr Oluga reflected on the challenges exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the continent’s overreliance on external support for vaccines and protective equipment. He called for urgent investment in Africa’s domestic manufacturing capacity to strengthen preparedness for future health crises.

He further emphasised that in an increasingly interconnected world, working in isolation is no longer a viable option. Collaboration, he noted, is essential to building resilient health systems.

Dr Oluga also welcomed the newly adopted Pandemic Agreement—pending ratification—describing it as a transformative tool to enhance global preparedness and reduce inequalities in access to life-saving medical resources.

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