Regional Leaders Set a Bold Health Agenda during the 76th Health Ministers Conference

The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) successfully convened the 76th Health Ministers Conference (HMC) from 3–5 February 2026 in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Eswatini, under the theme "Enhancing Health Systems for Equity, Resilience and Sustainability."

ECSA-HC extends its profound appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, for the warm hospitality, strong political commitment, and exemplary support extended before and throughout the Conference and the pre-conference meetings; the ECSA-HC Regional Youth Summit, the Senior Health Officials Health Financing Dialogue on Value for Money, Value for Health, and the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Technical Meeting.

The Conference, which was attended by more than 400 delegates, brought together Health Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, senior government officials, youth leaders, development partners, researchers, and stakeholders from across the ECSA-HC region and beyond, providing a vital platform for regional dialogue, peer learning, and collective action to strengthen health systems.

The inaugural ECSA-HC Regional Youth Summit brought together young leaders from across Member States to discuss the Demographic Dividend and health and development. The Summit, supported by AUDA-NEPAD, gave young voices a platform to contribute significantly to regional health discourse, emphasising youth leadership, innovation, and intergenerational accountability in building sustainable and resilient health systems.

The Health Financing Dialogue on Value for Money, Value for Health, which was supported by Axum brought together over 150 senior health officials, including Permanent Secretaries and senior policymakers from 17 countries, to discuss domestic resource mobilisation, efficiency, accountability, and results-driven health investments. H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, gave the Dialogue's Keynote Address, emphasising people-centered, efficient, and sustainable finance models that improve regional health outcomes.

Ten (10) major resolutions were adopted during the 76th Health Ministers Conference, establishing a dynamic agenda for stronger, more equal, and resilient health systems in East, Central, and Southern Africa.

These resolutions highlight the region's commitment to implementing dialogue and improving Member State populations' health. Ministers requested ECSA-HC to assist Member States and partners in implementing, monitoring, and reporting on national and regional resolutions.

We thank ECSA-HC Member States, development partners, and collaborating institutions for their technical assistance at the 76th Health Ministers Conference and pre-conference meetings. ECSA-HC commits to translating the 76th Health Ministers Conference outcomes into improved health systems and population health outcomes.