Health Equity and Women’s Health Take Center Stage at the Inaugural International Health Ministerial Summit

Kigali, Rwanda, 4 December 2024: The inaugural International Health Ministerial Summit, organized by Informa Markets, commenced with dynamic panel discussions featuring influential leaders exploring collaborative solutions to global healthcare challenges.

Held at the Marriott Hotel in Kigali, the exclusive invitation-only summit runs from 4 to 5 December 2024, under the theme Strengthening Health Systems for a Better Tomorrow. It brings together government officials, corporate CEOs, investors, medical directors, and health experts from across the globe to address critical topics such as digital health, technological advancements, vaccine R&D, women’s health, healthcare investment opportunities, and health equity.

Opening Remarks: A Vision for Resilient Health Systems

Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the importance of investing in health as a non-negotiable human right.

“There is no better investment than in our health. It is not a negotiable luxury but a fundamental human right,” said Dr. Nsanzimana. “Strengthening health systems means focusing on the four S’s: staff, space, supplies, and systems. In Rwanda, we understand that investing in health is investing in our future. That’s why the Government of Rwanda has approved the 4×4 Reform—a bold strategy to quadruple the number of healthcare workers in the next four years to meet the WHO recommendation of at least 4 healthcare professionals per 1,000 population. By investing in these pillars and embracing technology and innovations like AI, we can build resilient systems that ensure uninterrupted care for all.”

Health Equity: Challenges and Opportunities

Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, kicked off the discussions with a keynote speech on shifting focus toward primary healthcare.

The first panel, hosted by Dr. Tim Keuri, CEO of the Kenya Health Federation, explored how Africa could become a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing. Industry leaders discussed strategies to enhance investments, improve regulatory frameworks, and foster collaborations to elevate Africa’s position in the global pharmaceutical value chain.

Another panel, moderated by Bloomberg reporter Ondiro Oganga, delved into the continent’s need to advance self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical R&D, vaccine production, and diagnostics. Participants emphasized prioritizing local production capabilities, establishing regional hubs, and aligning efforts regionally to address healthcare gaps.

Ahmed Ogwell, Vice President of Global Health Strategy at the UN Foundation, highlighted, “The gap is not in identifying problems or proposing solutions—it’s in executing those solutions. While we’ve discussed manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines extensively, we lack local production of diagnostics and essential tools like rapid tests. To move forward, we need to coordinate efforts regionally and ensure the products we manufacture are consumed within our systems.”

Focus on Women’s Health and Equitable Access to Healthcare

Health equity and women’s health featured prominently on the day’s agenda. During a session moderated by Dominic Wilhelm, Executive Director of The Global Trust Project, global health leaders debated strategies to close the health equity gap and ensure universal access to medicines and vaccines.

Pauline Irungu, Pfizer Kenya’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, noted, “When we think about partnerships, we often consider government-private collaborations, but private-private partnerships are equally critical in advancing healthcare. At Pfizer, we currently work with two diagnostic companies on the continent, but we call for more partnerships to address the multifaceted challenges within the healthcare system.”

A separate panel focused on reducing maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Chaired by Dr. Magome Masike, Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, the discussion emphasized innovative solutions to improve women’s health outcomes across Africa.

Looking Ahead

Day two of the summit will spotlight advancements in digital health, artificial intelligence’s role in transforming healthcare, innovative health financing models, and Rwanda’s groundbreaking initiative employing drones to deliver essential medicines to health facilities.

For more details on the International Health Ministerial Summit, visit the official event website.