Addis Ababa Call to Action Unites African Leaders in Battle Against Multi — Disease Elimination ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – The 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa convened in Addis Ababa on August 25, 2026, bringing together health ministers from 47 Member States of the WHO African Region. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie opened the session, emphasizing the need for stronger regional cooperation to tackle the pressing health challenges faced by the continent.
The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Addis Ababa Call to Action by consensus, outlining a shared vision and guiding principles for multi — disease elimination.
This landmark decision underscores the commitment of African leaders to protect and accelerate efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other infectious diseases. NTDs, a group of infectious diseases that affect more than 1.
7 billion people worldwide, pose a significant threat to public health, particularly in Africa.
The continent is home to a disproportionate share of the global burden, with millions suffering from diseases such as malaria, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis.
The Addis Ababa Call to Action aims to improve health systems and financing to combat NTDs effectively. African health ministers and development partners highlighted the need for robust genomic surveillance to combat antimicrobial resistance, with 51 countries participating in discussions on this critical issue.
Dr.
Mekdes Daba Feyssa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, said “The adoption of the Addis Ababa Call to Action is a major step forward in our efforts to eliminate NTDs and other infectious diseases. It underscores our commitment to ensuring that everyone in Africa has access to quality healthcare. “.
The meeting also focused on the importance of securing sustainable financing for health initiatives.
The Call to Action calls for promoting sustainability through resource mobilization, ensuring that endemic country governments financially resource an Africa free of NTDs.
According to the WHO Director — General, the region achieved significant gains in 2025 despite the deepest cuts to international health financing in a generation.
Eight countries reached major disease — elimination milestones, and more than 28 million doses of donated NTD medicines were delivered, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which carries the world’s largest burden of sleeping sickness.
The Addis Ababa Call to Action serves as a call to action for African leaders to unite in the fight against multi — disease elimination. By strengthening health systems, improving health financing, and focusing on genomic surveillance, the continent can make significant strides in improving public health and reducing the burden of NTDs and other infectious diseases.
The Call to Action also emphasizes the need for continued collaboration between governments, development partners, and civil society organizations to ensure the successful implementation of the outlined strategies.
As the region moves forward, the Addis Ababa Call to Action serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect and improve the health of the African people. With a unified approach and increased investment in health, Africa can make substantial progress towards achieving a healthier and more resilient future.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa Health
