At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) held in Geneva, Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, took part in a pivotal panel discussion focused on pandemic preparedness. Hosted by Unitaid, the session gathered senior health officials and leaders from around the world to exchange experiences, reflect on lessons learned, and strategize on improving global health security in the wake of recent emergencies.
Dr. Oluga’s contributions were grounded in the hard lessons Africa endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the continent’s significant dependence on external sources for critical medical supplies such as vaccines, diagnostics, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This reliance, he explained, revealed vulnerabilities in Africa’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to health crises. The pandemic exposed the urgent need to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce delays, lower costs, and increase the availability of essential health commodities during emergencies.
According to Dr. Oluga, investing in local manufacturing is not merely an economic imperative but a strategic health security priority. Strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical production infrastructure would enable the continent to be more self-reliant and better prepared for future outbreaks. It would also create jobs, stimulate technological innovation, and foster sustainable development. Such capacity building, he argued, must be a key element of pandemic preparedness plans.
Beyond manufacturing, Dr. Oluga stressed the importance of global collaboration. In today’s interconnected world, health threats transcend borders rapidly, making isolated efforts ineffective. Cooperation among countries, international organizations, and private sector partners is essential to build resilient health systems that can anticipate, detect, and respond to pandemics efficiently.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond nationalistic approaches and embrace solidarity. Sharing scientific data, technologies, and resources is vital to ensure equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored how disparities in access can prolong outbreaks and exacerbate inequalities. Global collaboration is the pathway to overcome such challenges and ensure no one is left behind.
Dr. Oluga also welcomed the recent adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, an international accord currently awaiting ratification. He described this agreement as a transformative instrument designed to improve global preparedness and response frameworks. The agreement aims to establish clear commitments and accountability mechanisms that will enhance cooperation, transparency, and rapid sharing of information during health emergencies.
He highlighted that the agreement could play a critical role in reducing inequalities in access to life-saving medical resources. By setting standards and fostering coordinated actions, the instrument promises to strengthen the capacity of all countries—especially low- and middle-income nations—to manage health crises more effectively.
During the panel discussion, Dr. Oluga reflected on how lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should catalyze concrete reforms. He emphasized that the world cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past, where delayed responses and inequitable access contributed to unnecessary loss of lives and economic disruption.
To realize this vision, governments must commit to sustained investment in health infrastructure, including workforce training, laboratory systems, supply chain management, and health information systems. Additionally, they must foster public-private partnerships to leverage innovation and resources in the development and distribution of vaccines and therapeutics.
Dr. Oluga’s call for investment in local manufacturing and enhanced global collaboration resonates with a growing consensus that pandemic preparedness must be a shared priority. The interconnected nature of health risks demands collective responsibility and a unified approach.
His remarks at the WHA78 panel underscore that building resilient health systems in Africa and worldwide requires both strengthening domestic capabilities and reinforcing international cooperation frameworks. Only by combining these approaches can the global community better safeguard health security and ensure a more equitable and effective response to future pandemics.
