Geneva, 21 May 2025 – On the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. AÏSSI, Director General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), took part in a high-level event held under the theme: « Accelerating Universal Health Coverage: Mobilising Resources for Equity and Sustainability in Health in Africa ».
Jointly organised by the Global Fund, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of South Africa, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and several partners, the event brought together health ministers, African leaders, technical and financial partners, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders. The main objective was to promote innovative and sustainable approaches to financing health systems in Africa, while ensuring equity in access to healthcare.
Dr. Melchior AÏSSI, alongside other African leaders, presented ECOWAS's perspective on the specific challenges facing the sub-region, while highlighting the critical role of regional coordination in delivering an effective, sustainable, and equitable health response.
Thematic panels enabled discussion on national strategies to strengthen the sustainability of health systems amidst financial uncertainty, and on innovative ways to mobilise resources, including through the private sector and international partnerships. A plenary session allowed ministers, development partners, and civil society actors to share challenges, opportunities, and forward-thinking solutions.
At the end of the session, participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainably financed African health systems—an essential condition for achieving universal health coverage.
The WAHO Director-General seen here in a one-on-one meeting with the Minister of Health of Côte
d’Ivoire.