COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2ND EAC JOINT MINISTERIAL, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ AND INVESTORS’ ROUNDTABLE ON INVESTMENT IN HEALTH
THEME: ENHANCING HEALTH SECTOR INVESTMENTS, WELLBEING AND WEALTH CREATION IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
HILTON HOTEL, NAIROBI, REPUBLIC OF KENYA
1st NOVEMBER 2019
We, the Ministers responsible for Health in the EAC Partner States in collaboration with Investors, Development Partners, Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations’ Leaders, assembled here in Nairobi City, Republic of Kenya, today the 1st of November, 2019, for the 2nd EAC Joint Ministerial, Development Partners and Investors’ Roundtable on Investment in Health;
Noting that the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community provides for the promotion of the management of health delivery systems and better planning mechanisms to enhance efficiency within the Partner States;
Further noting that significant strides have been made in the development of policies to enhance cooperation in health and observing that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, target 3.8 on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially access to quality essential health care services, equity and financial risk protection;
Acknowledging that Universal Health Coverage is only achievable if there is political commitment from the Partners States and accountable governance in the policy making and service delivery process;
Concerned that external funding in health especially vertical programs such as HIV, TB, Malaria and immunization, is expected to decline over the coming years and could affect the gains made in health for the EAC Partner states;
Appreciating the continued support and commitment from the health development partners, Investors, Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector;
Concerned about the high level of out of pocket expenditure for health services in the EAC region, for Partner States, compared to the recommended WHO threshold of 20%, and leading to catastrophic expenditures and later on to impoverishment of families,
Recognising that health is wealth and that investing in health is the cornerstone for socioeconomic transformation;
We, the Ministers responsible for Health in the EAC Partner States, in collaboration with Investors, Development Partners, Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations’ Leaders, on this First day of November 2019 hereby resolve to:
Continue to provide leadership and support in the implementation of the Health Sector investment priorities especially the operationalisation of the EAC Regional Centers of Excellence in Partner States;
Explore and implement innovative financing mechanisms to increase domestic resources for health in Partner States
Continue to support the strengthening of EAC regional capacities for infrastructure and human resources development for the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from epidemic prone infectious diseases
Support mechanisms geared towards strengthening health professional regulatory bodies to ensure availability and performance of qualified and skilled workforce for the delivery of quality health care services;
Strengthen the capacities of National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs) to improve access to quality, efficacious and affordable medicines in Partner States in line with the EAC decision;
Oversee the conduct of regular performance review, the generation of evidence for knowledge management and evaluation of programs in the health sector to inform policies for better delivery of quality health care;
Support the implementation of the digital health initiatives in Partner States for efficient health care service delivery;
Enhance Investors, Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders engagement through Public Private Partnership to support governments towards better health care service delivery and attainment of Universal Health Coverage;
Sustain efforts in advocating for increased domestic financing for the Health Sector;
Promote and coordinate the establishment of an accountability framework for all health sector stakeholders.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 1st November, 2019: The East African Community in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development Kenya/East Africa (USAID/KEA) have launched a new programme for the conservation and sustainable use of East Africa’s natural capital.
The Conservation and Management of the Region's Natural Capital Programme is an initiative that seeks to improve the collaborative management and conservation of trans-boundary natural resources, reduce wildlife poaching and trafficking, and increase the perceived value of living wildlife.
East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 1st November, 2019: The First Instance Division Thursday heard case Reference No. 8 of 2018, a matter challenging the Constitutional Court of Uganda for an inordinate delay in delivering justice in a criminal case. The case which was filed by Hassan Bassajabalaba and Bassajabalaba Muzamiru, (Applicants) who are both Ugandans versus the Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda sued on behalf of the Government of Uganda.
The Applicants are seeking a permanent injunction restraining the Government of Uganda, its agents or persons claiming through it from re-instating prosecution of the Applicants, and staying all criminal charges and proceedings against the Applicants.
...as region looks to mobilize USD$3.5 billion for Nine (9) Health Sector Priorities
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 31st October 2019: The Chairperson of EAC the Sectoral Council on Health and Minister of State In charge of Public Health and Primary Health in Rwanda, Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi has said investment in health is critical for ensuring human and socio-economic development in East Africa.
“As we invest in health, it’s my conviction that our investments are made in strategic areas, that offer maximum value for money and benefit to the people of East Africa,” said Dr. Ndimubanzi.
The Minister called for stronger partnerships that leverage the unique skills and resources of governments, civil society, and the private sector to improve the delivery of health services in the region.
East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 31st October, 2019: The First Instance Division of the Court allowed Application No. 6 of 2019 filed by the Attorney General (AG) of the Republic of Uganda seeking court to enlarge time within which the response to the case (Reference) may be served to the Applicant in the interest of justice. The Court in its ruling, exercised its discretion under Rule 4 of the Court’s Rules of Procedure to grant the request.
Court allowing the Application followed the dismissal of Application No. 4 of 2019 filed by the Applicant (Mabirizi) seeking court to strike out the said Response to the Case (Reference) off the record of the Court on grounds that; the AG did file and serve his response within forty five (45) days as by the law, that the supporting documents of the impugned response were not filed together, that the response and affidavit in reply contain general and evasive denials, are frivolous and vexatious and the affidavit contains irrelevant and scandalous material.
East African Legislative Assembly: Arusha, Tanzania, October 29th, 2019: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K. Martin, has reiterated the Assembly’s support for women empowerment while calling for their increased and effective participation in the political spaces and decision-making processes.
Rt Hon Ngoga made the remarks yesterday while receiving the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Hon Shadana Guizar Khan, at the Speaker’s Chambers here. Rt Hon Ngoga maintained that gender equality was a fundamental right and not a privilege and said it was time for all to embrace the principle.
…Rt Hon Ngoga and Rt Hon Ndugai, call for speedy EAC integration, commit to strengthening collaboration between both Houses
East African Legislative Assembly: Arusha, Tanzania, October 29th, 2019: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K. Martin and the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon Job Yustino Ndugai, are emphatic that the integration process must stay on course for the betterment of the citizens of the EAC. The Speakers have rallied for the full implementation of the pillars of integration including the Monetary Union to spur economic stability.
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin yesterday received the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon Job Yustino Ndugai, who paid him a courtesy call at his Chamber in Arusha.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 28th October, 2019: The EAC Secretariat, supported by GIZ African Union Border Programme (GIZ-AUBP) and GIZ support to East African Market driven and People Centred Integration (SEAMPEC), in collaboration with the South Sudan Women Entrepreneurs Association (SSWEA), convened a three-day training for women cross-border traders between Uganda and South Sudan on October 16-18, 2019 at the Elegu One Stop Border Post between Uganda and the Republic of South Sudan.
Twenty five (25) women cross-border traders from Uganda and South Sudan took part in the training, which was carried out in close cooperation with border officials. The women learned how to engage in cross-border trade making use of the economic opportunities provided by the EAC without suffering from harassment and other challenges at border crossing points. Using the ‘EAC Simplified Information Package for Micro and Small-Scale Women Cross Border Traders and Service Providers in the EAC’, the women learned how to apply the EAC trading rules.
East African Court of Justice, Arusha, Tanzania, 28th October, 2019: Both Divisions of the Court are set for the long end of year sessions resuming this week. The First Instance Division, which has line a number of cases, will start its sessions this week on Tuesday, 29th and go up to 6th December, 2019 while the Appellate Division will also set off two weeks later on 12th November up to 26th November 2019.
The First Instance Division in total will handle 28 matters before it and among these are: nine (9) References, five (5) Applications, 10 scheduling conferences, two (2) Judgments and two (2) Rulings. The bench for the First Instance Division will be composed of Honourable Justices Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Dr Faustin Ntezilyayo (Deputy Principal Judge), Justice Audace Ngiye, Justice Dr. Charles Nyawello and Justice Charles Nyachae.
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
