The country will host more than 300 delegates from across Eastern, Central and Southern Africa when it stages the 16th Best Practices Forum and the 32nd Directors’ Joint Consultative Meeting from August 5 to 7.
The conference, which will be held at the George Hotel in Manzini, is being organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).
It will be held under the theme: ‘Shaping the Future of Health in the ECSA Region: Advancing Health Security, Innovation and Sustainability’.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Health Services Director Dr Velephi Okello in an address shared through the ministry’s official Facebook page.
Dr Okello said the Best Practices Forum was an important scientific platform where health experts, researchers, policymakers and academic institutions would meet to exchange knowledge and discuss practical solutions that have improved health services in their respective countries.
She said the forum would also provide an opportunity for participants to agree on recommendations aimed at strengthening healthcare in the region.
These recommendations would later be considered by directors and directors-general from member states before being submitted to ministers of health for approval.
According to Dr Okello, the conference is expected to attract more than 300 participants from ECSA-HC member states, namely Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
She added that delegates from international organisations based in other countries would also attend the meeting.
Dr Okello said Eswatini was honoured to host another major regional health conference, noting that the country currently chairs the ECSA Health Community.
She explained that the kingdom assumed the chairmanship in February this year after the meeting of ministers of health, where the country’s Minister of Health took over as chairperson of the regional body.
Dr Okello said the February Ministers’ Conference was described by ECSA Health Community Director-General Dr Dhlakama Bologwe as the largest and best-hosted Ministers’ Conference in recent years.
She said the decision to once again entrust Eswatini with hosting another ECSA conference within the same year reflected the organisation’s confidence in the country’s ability to successfully organise regional events.
Confident
“The Minister of Health for Eswatini is confident that this will be yet another successful conference,” she said.
During the three-day forum, researchers, health experts and academic institutions will present research papers covering different areas of healthcare.
Dr Okello said the discussions would focus on evidence-based interventions and successful practices that have improved health outcomes in member states.
She added that delegates would also discuss ways to strengthen health security, build stronger health systems, develop the health workforce, expand digital transformation in healthcare and improve sustainable financing for the health sector.
According to Dr Okello, the conference is expected to strengthen partnerships among member states and encourage wider use of successful healthcare interventions across the region.
She said hosting such events also benefits Eswatini by providing opportunities for local health professionals to engage with regional experts while promoting cooperation among countries facing similar health challenges.
“The Ministry of Health is honoured once again and will welcome hundreds of participants who will come from the various ECSA member states,” she said.
Dr Okello also acknowledged the support of government ministries and agencies that have been working with the ministry to prepare for the conference.
She said the collaboration was aimed at ensuring delegates experience smooth entry into the country through border posts and airports, as well as safe transport and accommodation during their stay.
Dr Okello appealed to locals to extend a warm welcome to the visitors.
“We therefore appeal to locals to welcome our visitors in a dignified manner, shower them with love, peace and respect that we are known for,” she said.
She added that the ministry appreciated the efforts being made by all stakeholders to ensure the conference is successfully hosted.
