The 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 27-30, 2023, proved to be a pivotal African-led platform. Leaders from across the continent converged to address critical global health challenges, encompassing various issues. Among these, sustainable health financing emerged as a prominent topic, showcased at a side event led by the Global Fund. This event drew attention to the transformative role of the Africa Leaders Meeting (ALM) Declaration in mobilizing domestic resources, offering a promising pathway towards sustainable healthcare solutions for Africa.
Despite high-level commitments, few African countries have met the 2001 Abuja Declaration’s goal of allocating at least 15% of their budget to the health sector. The Africa Leaders Meeting (ALM) initiative emerged as a transformative force in response to the urgent need for sustainable health financing. This journey began with the landmark 2001 Abuja Declaration. Building on this foundation, the African Union Assembly adopted the Africa Scorecard on Domestic Financing for Health in 2016, providing a comprehensive framework to track progress toward the Abuja target. In 2019, solidifying a collective commitment, H.E. President Paul Kagame gathered all African Union Heads of State to ratify the ALM Declaration.
In 2020, an agreement was reached to establish Health Financing Hubs in Southern and Eastern Africa within Regional Economic Communities. Subsequently, in 2022 and 2023, National Health Financing Dialogues were held in Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Rwanda, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies and mechanisms for sustainable health funding.
By fostering collaboration, political commitment, and efficient resource mobilization, the ALM is guiding African countries toward sustainable health financing, aiming for improved health outcomes for all. While the journey ahead presents undeniable challenges, especially in the face of macroeconomic issues, the ALM instils optimism, positioning Africa to achieve greater health equity and resilience. Continuous support from partners to Regional Economic Communities (RECs) remains crucial, empowering them to address the prerequisites for successful national dialogues. In the realm of the new public health order for Africa, this sustained support is pivotal for extending these vital dialogues to more African countries, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to advancing sustainable health financing across the continent.
