By Oluyemi Israel
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate called for a new “Public Health Order” in Africa, stressing the need for the continent to rely on domestic resources and local manufacturing of health products.
He made this appeal at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held in Accra, Ghana. Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, delivered the message on Tuesday during the summit.
It was noted that global health priorities have often been shaped by external interests that overlook African voices and needs.
He pointed out challenges including donor dependency, unfair trade agreements, Africa’s declining manufacturing capacity, and fragmented global health efforts.
To address these issues, Pate outlined a seven-point strategy.
Pate outlined a strategy focused on building alliances with other developing regions and renegotiating trade agreements to support local health systems.
He emphasized the need to strengthen national ownership of health initiatives and reform the World Health Organization’s funding model for greater independence.
His plan also includes boosting domestic health financing, expanding local manufacturing under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and protecting intellectual property to drive innovation.
He also emphasized the role of the private sector and highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in primary healthcare and digital health systems.