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Harare, Zimbabwe – June 25, 2025 — Public health leaders, policymakers, and technical experts from across Southern Africa have convened in Harare for the 4th Annual Regional National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) Meeting, taking place from June 25–27 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel. The event, hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe in collaboration with Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), is focused on accelerating the establishment and strengthening of National Public Health Institutes across the African region.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Africa CDC, WHO, the European Union and various public health institutions have gathered to chart a path forward in building resilient and responsive health systems capable of addressing current and emerging health threats.
Speaking on behalf of WHO at the opening session, Dr Desta A Tiruneh, the WHO Representative to Zimbabwe, underscored the significance of the meeting at a time when global health systems are under increasing strain.
“This meeting is taking place at a critical time, where health systems globally face mounting pressure to address a wide range of population health needs in the face of declining development assistance. This leaves communities vulnerable to increasingly complex and evolving public health challenges,” the WHO Zimbabwe representative said.
The COVID-19 pandemic, participants agreed, had laid bare the fragility of many health systems and underscored the need for robust public health infrastructure that goes beyond emergency response to encompass health promotion, disease prevention, and preparedness.
WHO acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe and Africa CDC, as well as the sustained support from the European Union, whose partnership has been instrumental in driving forward the regional public health agenda.
The WHO also expressed deep gratitude to all country representatives and delegates who travelled from across the region to participate, saying their presence was a testament to the shared commitment to advancing Africa’s public health systems.
In his keynote remarks, Dr Tiruneh reiterated WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ call for unity in building public health capacities.
“To achieve universal health coverage and health security around the world, we must coordinate our efforts to support all countries in building the public health capacities needed to protect and promote health and achieve equitable access to services.”
WHO, in collaboration with Africa CDC, the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), and other partners, is actively supporting the operationalization of essential public health functions (EPHFs) at global, regional, and national levels. The newly published WHO guidance on EPHFs—set to be presented during the meeting—provides a strategic framework to align health systems with the evolving needs of populations while bridging the gap between health security and universal health coverage (UHC).
Among the key themes highlighted during the session were:
The need for strategic investment in national public health infrastructure
The critical role of NPHIs in epidemic response, research, training, and capacity development
The importance of multi-sectoral collaboration to address social determinants of health
The urgency of re-prioritizing public health financing in national budgets
The WHO representative emphasized that NPHIs serve as “national centers of public health expertise and coordination,” capable of working with ministries of health to streamline efforts, align strategies, and mobilize intersectoral partnerships.
As the three-day meeting unfolded, participants shared country experiences, identified common challenges, and generated actionable recommendations to bolster national and regional capacities.
Special attention will be given to workforce development, resource mobilization, governance, and sustainable institutional frameworks.
WHO reaffirmed its long-term commitment to supporting African countries and institutions in building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems.
“We stand ready,” Dr Tiruneh concluded, “to walk hand-in-hand with governments, Africa CDC, the EU, and our partners to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and global health security.”
The outcomes of this meeting are expected to shape regional strategies and partnerships in public health for years to come.
