By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Tanzania, August 17, 2026 - The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has convened health experts from across Eastern Africa to develop recommendations to guide regional ministers on key health priorities.
The Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) meeting is being held ahead of the fourth Eastern Africa Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (ReSCO) meeting, bringing together technical experts to assess evidence and formulate recommendations for consideration by health ministers.
The discussions, led by Dr Lul Pout Riek, are focusing on maternal, newborn and child health, strengthening primary healthcare, sustainable health financing, health security and health sovereignty.
Africa CDC said the meeting is aimed at ensuring technical evidence informs political decisions and translates into practical action across the region.
“Through ReTAC and ReSCO26, Africa CDC is strengthening the link between technical expertise and political leadership, turning evidence into decisions, decisions into action, and collective ambition into stronger health systems across Eastern Africa,” the agency said.
The meeting is being held in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, which is co-chairing ReSCO. Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, is attending the meeting.
The country's role in the process is considered significant given President Samia Suluhu Hassan's position as the African Union Champion for Accelerating Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
In this role, President Hassan is expected to help sustain political commitment towards improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes and ensuring regional health priorities are translated into measurable results.
The ReTAC deliberations provide a technical foundation for the subsequent ministerial discussions, allowing health ministers to consider recommendations backed by evidence and expert analysis.
The forum comes as Eastern African countries seek to strengthen health systems amid persistent challenges including gaps in primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, health financing and preparedness for public health emergencies.
The outcome of the technical meeting is expected to inform discussions at ReSCO, where political leaders and health ministers will consider coordinated approaches to addressing shared health challenges across the region.
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