By GPC News Desk
The East African Community (EAC) and four United Nations agencies have agreed to establish a structured partnership framework to strengthen coordination and joint action on health and development priorities across the region.
The proposed framework was discussed during a high-level meeting between the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi, and regional directors of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, on Wednesday.
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The UN delegation was led by UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Lydia Zigomo and included WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli and UNAIDS Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Medhin Tsehaiu.
Mbundi welcomed the proposed framework, saying it would consolidate existing areas of cooperation and strengthen regional coordination.
He also called for the framework to be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out the areas of cooperation and providing a clear basis for implementation.
Mbundi urged the EAC and UN agencies to “fast-track the development of the framework”, with the process expected to be completed within three months.
The Secretary General also stressed the need to increase public awareness of the EAC integration process and demonstrate its practical benefits to citizens across the region.
Health and human capital development emerged as key areas for strengthened regional cooperation, with the meeting highlighting the importance of sustained investment in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, HIV, gender, adolescents and youth, and Universal Health Coverage.
The partners also pointed to sustainable financing and supportive legal and policy environments as critical to improving health outcomes and advancing inclusive development.
The four UN agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working with the EAC and its Partner States to protect gains made in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, HIV, Universal Health Coverage, gender and adolescent and youth health.
The EAC said the agencies have previously worked together through regional forums on reproductive and maternal health, HIV and health data management, as well as in developing regional minimum standards for integrated reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and HIV services.
The new framework is expected to give the EAC, UN agencies and Partner States a coordinated platform to align their efforts, strengthen regional capacity and translate regional priorities into practical interventions.
According to the EAC, the ultimate objective is to support interventions that improve the “health and wellbeing of East Africans.”
