The East African Community (EAC) has launched a new regional policy aimed at enhancing preparedness and response to pandemics, following lessons learned from COVID-19, Ebola, cholera, and other deadly outbreaks.
The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers of Health, seeks to protect the health of millions across the region by addressing gaps in national health systems that have been exposed during past emergencies.
At the heart of the framework is the goal to strengthen health systems, improve coordination among member states, and advocate for increased funding amid declining donor support. The policy also promotes regional collaboration in vaccine manufacturing and joint procurement of medicines.
Through a regional center based in Kigali, the EAC aims to leverage the combined market of over 350 million people to negotiate better access to vaccines and essential medicines, enhancing the region’s resilience to future pandemics.
EAC officials say the policy represents a major step toward collective health security, ensuring that member states are better prepared to detect, respond to, and contain disease outbreaks in a coordinated and timely manner.