Advancing Health Equity in African Health Systems Through Pan-African Dialogue and Innovation
1
Programmes, Tekano Health Equity, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Health Policy and Systems Division, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A714
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
African health systems continue to face structural, political, and economic challenges that limit progress toward equitable health outcomes. Yet across East, West, and Southern Africa, communities, practitioners, and policymakers are advancing innovations grounded in African knowledge systems, solidarity, and resilience. In alignment with the World Congress on Public Health theme, this organised session centres African voices and regionally driven solutions to strengthen health systems and advance equity.
METHODS:
This one-hour interactive session will combine a World Café–style dialogue with a fire-starter panel to stimulate collaborative learning. Panelists from East, West, and Southern Africa will offer short provocations on innovations addressing key system challenges. Participants will rotate through facilitated discussion stations on community-centred design, governance, adaptive service delivery, and cross-regional collaboration, supported by real-time synthesis activities.
RESULTS:
The session is expected to generate insights into African approaches to health system strengthening with emphasis on equity, sustainability, and inclusive governance. Anticipated outcomes include identifying regional commonalities, highlighting context-specific innovations, and mapping opportunities for continued collaborative learning. Participant contributions will be documented to inform future research, policy development, and programme design, contributing to a stronger Pan-African framework for advancing health equity.
CONCLUSIONS:
By elevating African innovations and fostering Pan-African dialogue, this session contributes to global public health discussions that are inclusive, contextually grounded, and equity driven. The format encourages engagement, supports knowledge exchange across regions, and underscores Africa’s leadership in shaping sustainable responses to complex system challenges. The insights generated will reinforce efforts to achieve health without borders and advance equitable public health across the continent.
African health systems continue to face structural, political, and economic challenges that limit progress toward equitable health outcomes. Yet across East, West, and Southern Africa, communities, practitioners, and policymakers are advancing innovations grounded in African knowledge systems, solidarity, and resilience. In alignment with the World Congress on Public Health theme, this organised session centres African voices and regionally driven solutions to strengthen health systems and advance equity.
METHODS:
This one-hour interactive session will combine a World Café–style dialogue with a fire-starter panel to stimulate collaborative learning. Panelists from East, West, and Southern Africa will offer short provocations on innovations addressing key system challenges. Participants will rotate through facilitated discussion stations on community-centred design, governance, adaptive service delivery, and cross-regional collaboration, supported by real-time synthesis activities.
RESULTS:
The session is expected to generate insights into African approaches to health system strengthening with emphasis on equity, sustainability, and inclusive governance. Anticipated outcomes include identifying regional commonalities, highlighting context-specific innovations, and mapping opportunities for continued collaborative learning. Participant contributions will be documented to inform future research, policy development, and programme design, contributing to a stronger Pan-African framework for advancing health equity.
CONCLUSIONS:
By elevating African innovations and fostering Pan-African dialogue, this session contributes to global public health discussions that are inclusive, contextually grounded, and equity driven. The format encourages engagement, supports knowledge exchange across regions, and underscores Africa’s leadership in shaping sustainable responses to complex system challenges. The insights generated will reinforce efforts to achieve health without borders and advance equitable public health across the continent.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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