Rumbidzayi Zinyuke 

Health Reporter

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has been elected Second Vice-Chairperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, further enhancing Zimbabwe’s role in shaping the continent’s health agenda.

The election took place during the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (AFR/RC76), which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The session is being chaired by Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba Feyssa, as African countries deliberate on strategies to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across the continent.

AFR/RC76 brings together Ministers of Health and senior government officials from the 47 Member States of the WHO African Region, alongside WHO leadership, development partners and other health-sector stakeholders.

Dr Mombeshora’s election comes as Zimbabwe continues to advocate for stronger domestic investment in health, resilient health systems and greater African capacity to produce essential medicines and other health commodities.

The election also gives Zimbabwe an opportunity to contribute more directly to regional discussions and decision-making on the continent’s health priorities during the coming year.

The WHO Regional Committee for Africa is the governing body through which Member States of the African Region set regional health priorities, adopt policies and resolutions, and provide strategic direction to WHO’s work on the continent.