At WHO Executive Board meeting: Minister says Universal Health Coverage vital for Africa’s social equity, stability.

He made the observation while heralding the interest of the 47 African countries that make up the World Health Organisation, WHO. This was during discussions at the 158th session of WHO Executive Board on February 4. 

Dr Manaouda outlined Africa’s priorities in a world facing increasing health crises, technological transformations and deep inequalities in access to care. 

He stressed that in a context marked by epidemics, fragile health systems and rapid innovation, Africa, through Cameroon is committed to being a force of proposals, responsibility and anticipation.

On digital health and Artificial Intelligence, AI, Africa Manaouda said, acknowledged its potential to accelerate UHC but cautioned against uncontrolled adoption. 

He emphasized the need for strong ethical and regulatory frameworks, secure data governance and regional harmonisation to ensure interoperability and protect sensitive health information.

Regarding health emergencies, Cameroon via the minister, welcomed the WHO Director General’s report and insisted on the need to strengthen preparedness and resilience. 

The African Region proposed expanding the Universal Health Preparedness Review, UHPR initiative to improve prevention, readiness and response to both epidemic and non-epidemic crises that often have devastating social and economic consequences.

The Minister also highlighted the lack of reliable data to guide social and public health measures during emergencies. He noted that Africa is therefore calling for increased investment in national health information systems to support evidence-based decision-making and improve the effectiveness of interventions.

Africa should shape the future

Africa, he went on, must not only respond to emergencies but also shape the future of global health governance through coherent and sustainable strategies.

He decried the persistent threat posed by counterfeit and substandard medical products. The Minister warned that the proliferation of fake medicines continues to endanger lives and undermine public confidence in health systems. 

He called for strengthened cross-border cooperation, improved regulation and the securing of official supply chains to ensure patient safety and restore trust in healthcare delivery across the continent.

Brain drain dilemma

The international recruitment of African health workers was another pressing concern. Dr Manaouda in his remark denounced the growing brain drain that is weakening national health systems and creating medical deserts in vulnerable communities. 

Africa, he said, is advocating ethical and equitable recruitment practices, as well as the full implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice. 

This, he said, is in order to protect countries with limited human resources and promote balanced mobility of health professionals.

Antimicrobial resistance challenge

Antimicrobial resistance also featured prominently in the African Region’s statement. With resistant infections on the rise, the Minister urged increased investment in surveillance laboratories, pharmacovigilance systems and the fight against illicit drug trafficking, which accelerates the spread of resistance. 

He described antimicrobial resistance as a silent crisis that demands urgent and coordinated action.

Health & peace

In the area of health and peace, the African Region, he said, encourages the promotion of UHC as a tool for social equity and stability, particularly in fragile and post-conflict settings. 

Health, Dr Manaouda noted, can serve as a bridge toward social justice and sustainable peace. Dr Manaouda declared that, poliomyelitis remains another major concern, with persistent circulation of virus variants in some parts of Africa.  

He reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to eradicating the disease, stressing the importance of integrating immunization services into health systems, ensuring sustainable financing and strengthening routine vaccination. Africa, he restated, supports WHO and its strategies, while welcoming the progress already made. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3699 of Monday February 09, 2026