SADC Health Ministers Urged to Share Disease Data ...

SADC Health Ministers Urged to Share Disease Data for Better Regional Response

Oscar J Jeke
Zim Now Reporter

Southern African Development Community health ministers have been urged to improve the timely sharing of disease outbreak data to enhance regional preparedness and prevent cross-border transmission.

The call was made during the Virtual SADC Extraordinary Meeting of Health Ministers, held from February 20 to 21, 2025.

According to Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, who presented a report on the meeting, real-time data sharing on diseases such as Mpox and Marburg Virus Disease is crucial in mitigating their spread across the region.

"Member States were urged to share information on disease outbreaks timeously to effectively address cross-border transmission," Dr. Mombeshora stated.

The meeting, which addressed critical health challenges in the region, also endorsed key initiatives, including the SADC TB Strategic Plan and the expansion of the E8 Malaria Elimination Initiative to all 16 SADC Member States.

Additionally, discussions focused on accelerating investment in the SADC Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Strategy, assessing the feasibility of establishing a Southern Africa Health Organisation, and launching the SADC Pooled Procurement Services to streamline medical supply chains across the region.

In response to funding shortages for key health programs such as HIV, TB, and malaria, SADC members were encouraged to explore alternative financial sources, including public-private partnerships and domestic resource mobilisation.