NewzDAR ES SALAAM: African countries have been urged to increase investment in primary healthcare to ensure people receive the right services, at the right place and at the right time before illnesses become life-threatening. World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi made the call today, September 9, 2026, during the Second International Primary Health Care (PHC) Conference 2026 in Arusha while stating that his experience in treating critically ill patients has repeatedly raised the question of whether some of them could have avoided severe conditions had they accessed timely care at health facilities closer to their homes. According to the WHO Regional Director, primary healthcare goes beyond establishing dispensaries, describing it as a system designed to bring appropriate and timely services closer to communities.
ALSO READ: VP Ndejembi hands over Energy Ministry’s office after farewell ceremony “Strong primary healthcare systems play a critical role in detecting diseases early, preventing outbreaks, maintaining essential services during emergencies and strengthening countries’ ability to respond to health challenges,” he said. Emphasizing, he stated that declining health financing and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further demonstrated the need for resilient and adaptable healthcare systems across Africa. He noted that countries with strong and flexible primary healthcare systems were better positioned to maintain essential services even during emergencies and other major disruptions.
He further urged African countries and development partners to prioritise investment in primary healthcare as a foundation for equitable, accessible and quality health services across the continent. The post WHO urges African nations to increase investment in primary healthcare appeared first on Daily News. ARUSHA: AFRICAN nations have been urged to significantly increase investment in primary healthcare, health workers, technology and sustainable financing to build stronger health systems capable of delivering quality and equitable services to all citizens.
Director General of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), Dr Ntuli Kapologwe made the call during the Second International Conference on Primary Health Care in Arusha today,September 9, 2026, stressing that current global challenges required countries to rethink how they build resilient and self-reliant health systems. Dr Ntuli said that stronger primary healthcare systems are critical to achieving universal health coverage and strengthening global health security. “The challenges facing the world today require countries to rethink how to strengthen primary healthcare, including building institutional capacity, human resources, financing systems and the use of technology,” Dr Kapologwe said.
Elaborating, he said that self-reliance should not be interpreted as isolation, but rather as strengthening national capacities and health systems to effectively respond to emerging challenges and ensure citizens receive appropriate services. He further highlighted Tanzania’s longstanding experience in primary healthcare, noting that the country began implementing the approach in 1967 as part of the Arusha Declaration, years before the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration placed primary healthcare at the centre of the global pursuit of “Health for All.” ALSO READ: Kipumbwi Ward residents reap gains from AFDP’s agriculture, fisheries projects He said the experience demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in primary healthcare as the foundation for equitable access to health services. Moreover, he also underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation, particularly partnerships with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and African regional health institutions.
“Such cooperation enables countries to share experiences, learn from one another and strengthen their health systems,” he said while citing Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda as examples of countries that can benefit from regional collaboration. Dr Kapologwe further urged governments, development partners and other stakeholders to increase investment in primary healthcare, saying the move will be central to achieving universal…
Summary from source