HGI participates in an Online Session for Governance and Ethics in Health for East Africa

The online meeting of August 30th, 2024, on Governance and Ethics in Health in Africa, delved into the critical aspects of health governance and ethics in the region.

Health governance is an essential function of national health systems. Yet, many African countries have not developed strong health governance structures and processes. Eastern Africa has made some strides in health governance and ethics, but there are still challenges to address. Building health governance as a key pillar of national health systems involves developing stronger governance institutions, strengthening health legislation, increasing financing for governance processes, and improving human resource capacity in health governance and management. While strong governance structures lead to better health outcomes and more efficient resource use, robust ethical frameworks ensure responsible health research and interventions, respecting participants’ rights and dignity.

The discussions included successful governance models, achievements, and challenges and gaps in health governance. The audience was engaged especially in terms of experience sharing on governance and ethics in their local contexts. Innovative solutions were discussed with best practices that can be adapted to different settings within Eastern Africa. The meeting provided networking opportunities as it connected professionals and health leaders from both the private and public healthcare sectors, dedicated to improving health systems in Eastern Africa.