The 25th Ordinary Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Health is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The five-day summit, which began with the Session of Senior Officials, is set to culminate on Friday, 9th May 2025, with a high-level Ministerial Session.
The meeting brings together key stakeholders from across the EAC Partner States to deliberate on health priorities and bolster regional cooperation in disease prevention, health system strengthening, and access to quality health technologies.
Among the crucial reports under review are those from the EAC Technical Working Groups on the prevention and control of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, the operationalisation of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project, and the implementation of previous Council decisions.
"This meeting is vital in aligning our regional response strategies to emerging and existing health challenges," said Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki, the EAC Secretary General. “We are not just reviewing reports—we are setting the pace for the future of health in East Africa.”
Another major focus is the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism for regional health programs, along with the EAC Regional Strategy to end HIV/AIDS, TB, and STIs by 2030.
In addition, the Council is examining progress on the adoption of the EAC Pharmaceutical Bill, 2020, and assessing the work of the Technical Working Group on Medicines, Food Safety, and Health Technologies.
“Our goal is to create a harmonized pharmaceutical environment that ensures all East Africans access safe, affordable, and effective medicines,” said Hon. Dr. Jane Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health.
A significant highlight of the upcoming Ministerial Session will be the official launch of Phase III of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases, a 12 million-euro initiative aimed at strengthening laboratory systems for pandemic preparedness.
“This new phase will enhance our regional laboratory capacities under the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health,” stated Dr. John Mulenga, Chairperson of the EAC Technical Working Group on Communicable Diseases.
The EAC continues to prioritize regional integration in health, with a strong emphasis on joint action, resource sharing, and a unified policy framework to improve public health outcomes for over 270 million East Africans.
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