The summit also renewed political commitment among member states and partners

By Cantona Joseph July 22, 2026 18:43 (EAT)

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Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the African Union’s health priorities after participating in a high-level summit in Accra, Ghana, focused on accelerating action towards achieving key health targets by 2030.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga represented the country at the 20th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to Ghana, Shem Amadi.

The Ministry of Health said the summit was held under the theme, Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ending AIDS and TB, Improving Maternal Health, and Addressing Endemic, Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa.

“The Summit focused on ending AIDS by 2030, eliminating preventable maternal deaths, reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, tackling neglected tropical diseases and conditions, and building resilient, sustainable health systems that provide equitable and quality healthcare for all,” the ministry said.

The high-level session brought together Ghana President John Dramani Mahama, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, African Union Chairperson and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior government officials and development partners, including the Stop TB Partnership, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.

According to the ministry, Kenya’s participation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing the African Union’s health priorities through Universal Health Coverage, sustainable health financing, disease prevention and control, maternal and child health, health security and resilient health systems.

The ministry said the summit also provided an opportunity for member states and development partners to renew political commitment and strengthen collaboration towards achieving a healthier, more equitable and inclusive Africa by 2030.

Kenya continues to implement programmes aimed at reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as part of its commitment to Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the Ministry of Health, HIV and TB remain among the country’s leading public health challenges, with TB being one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV. Kenya has expanded access to HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy, TB diagnosis and treatment, while also strengthening disease surveillance and prevention programmes.

The country is also working with partners, including the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and the Stop TB Partnership, to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS and TB as public health threats by 2030.

The African Union has similarly prioritised stronger health systems, sustainable financing and regional collaboration to improve healthcare access and tackle communicable and non-communicable diseases across the continent.