Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has commended Ghana for implementing its Free Primary Healthcare System, calling it a benchmark for expanding healthcare access across the continent.
He emphasized that the initiative has significantly improved healthcare availability, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, and could serve as a model for other African nations pursuing universal health coverage.
Dr. Kaseya made these remarks during a press conference in Accra as part of the African Union’s Extraordinary Session on ending AIDS by 2030, highlighting Ghana’s success in removing financial barriers to essential health services.
“Ghana’s approach is a source of pride and a blueprint for other nations to follow,” he stated, underscoring the system’s role in advancing continental health equity goals.
The Free Primary Healthcare System provides essential medical services at no direct cost to patients, a strategy Dr. Kaseya said aligns with Africa’s broader push for health self-reliance and reduced dependency on external aid.
He also reported that Africa has mobilized approximately $110 million domestically to combat Ebola and other outbreaks, reflecting growing continental investment in public health emergencies. Updates on responses to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda were shared, along with progress on health sovereignty initiatives.
“This decision is rooted in scientific evidence, not emotion,” Dr. Kaseya noted, adding that Uganda’s robust outbreak management and political commitment justified its removal from restrictive travel measures.
He praised African countries for increasing domestic funding for emergency health responses and expressed optimism about future resource mobilization for ongoing interventions.
Africa CDC is currently leading clinical trials for Ebola treatments and preventive measures, with vaccine trials set to commence next month. Dr. Kaseya projected that by December 2026, the continent will have enhanced its Ebola preparedness through widespread access to medical countermeasures.
“By 2026, African nations should feel confident in their ability to handle Ebola outbreaks independently,” he said, citing the organization’s focus on bolstering diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Discussions among African leaders are prioritizing accelerated implementation of health sovereignty strategies from 2027 onward, aligning with the African Union’s vision for self-reliance.
Africa CDC has formally requested the U.S. lift travel restrictions on Uganda, citing evidence-based outbreak management successes.