HEALTH - The African Mirror

Nov

20

2025

Africa charts bold path to pharmaceutical independence at landmark Mombasa Summit

HEALTH

AFRICA has set an ambitious course toward regulatory self-sufficiency and transformed pharmaceutical manufacturing, with continental leaders unveiling sweeping reforms at a landmark health regulation summit that demands urgent government action and accelerated ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA). The 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) produced hard-hitting recommendations calling on African governments to provide "necessary support" for the AMA to establish itself as an "internationally trusted regulatory agency," while urging all 55 African Union member states to accelerate full ratification of the agency's founding treaty. Under the theme "Regulatory Harmonisation – Unlocking Africa's Potential…

Nov

15

2025

By OWN CORRESPONDENT

Africa launches bold initiative to transform youth population into economic powerhouse

AUDA-NEPAD, HEALTH

AFRICA stands at a critical crossroads. With the continent's population expected to surge from 50 years median age in 2000 to 64 years by 2020, and life expectancy climbing to 71.3 years, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has launched an ambitious program to ensure this demographic shift becomes an economic windfall rather than a burden. The new "AUDA-NEPAD Initiative for Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health" represents a fundamental shift in how the continent approaches its youth bulge – viewing sexual and reproductive health not as a social issue, but as an economic imperative. "Africa's demographic dividend is…

Nov

14

2025

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Africa spends $65 billion annually on imported medical products as continental push for health sovereignty intensifies

AUDA-NEPAD, HEALTH

AFRICA’S overwhelming dependency on imported pharmaceuticals poses a serious threat to the continent's health security and economic resilience, with 70 to 80 percent of medical products consumed on the continent coming from overseas despite annual spending exceeding $65 billion, the head of the African Union Development Agency has warned. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), delivered the stark assessment during opening remarks at the 7th Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) in Mombasa on Tuesday, calling for urgent action to strengthen local manufacturing capacity and regulatory harmonisation across the continent. "This…

Nov

13

2025

By OWN CORRESPONDENT

Kenya’s pharmacy board chief calls for urgent regulatory alignment to unlock Africa’s manufacturing potential

HEALTH

THE Chairman of Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board has issued a powerful call for continental regulatory harmonisation, describing it as essential to unlocking Africa's potential in health product manufacturing and cross-border trade. Dr John Munyu, speaking at the opening of the 7th Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa on Tuesday, told delegates that the gathering represents more than academic discussion - it's a "continental call to action." "We are gathered here under a theme that is not just a topic for discussion, but a continental call to action: 'Regulatory Harmonization: Unlocking Africa's Potential in Health Product Manufacturing…

Nov

12

2025

By The African Mirror

Africa builds continental health infrastructure to serve 1.5 billion people

HEALTH

AFRICA is constructing a comprehensive health ecosystem designed to unlock local manufacturing, strengthen regulatory systems, and ensure equitable access to medical products for its 1.5 billion people, a senior development official announced at a landmark continental conference. Symerre Grey-Johnson, Director of Human Capital, Institutional and Social Development at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), outlined ambitious progress in establishing trusted institutions and harmonised regulatory frameworks at the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) in Mombasa, Kenya. "To secure health sovereignty and equitable access to medicines, Africa must strengthen its regulatory systems and harmonise health product…

Nov

11

2025

By The African Mirror

Africa assembles powerhouse leadership for landmark health regulation summit

HEALTH

AFRICA'S most influential voices in health regulation and public health have converged in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII), signalling the continent's bold ambition to transform its pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape and achieve regulatory independence. The high-stakes summit, themed "Regulatory Harmonisation – Unlocking Africa's Potential in Health Product Manufacturing and Trade," has attracted a stellar lineup of continental and global leaders whose collective influence will shape Africa's trajectory in health product regulation for decades to come. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, will officiate the opening ceremony, bringing his distinguished government…

Nov

10

2025

By HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

The visionary leading Africa’s march toward health sovereignty

HEALTH

IN the gleaming conference halls of Addis Ababa and the bustling pharmaceutical factories emerging across Africa, a quiet revolution is taking shape. At its helm stands Dr Nardos Bekele-Thomas, a woman whose vision extends far beyond spreadsheets and policy papers—she sees a continent of 1.4 billion people finally commanding their own health destiny. As Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), Dr Bekele-Thomas isn't just managing programs; she's orchestrating a continental awakening. Her mission is audacious yet achingly necessary: to break the chains of pharmaceutical dependency that have left Africa importing 61% of…

Nov

08

2025

By HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

AUDA-NEPAD Chief joins global climate board in strategic win for African health security

HEALTH

IN a move that signals growing recognition of the inextricable link between climate adaptation and health security, the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) has appointed Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), to its Supervisory Board. The appointment places one of Africa's most influential health and development leaders at the decision-making table of global climate governance - a strategic positioning that could reshape how adaptation financing addresses the continent's escalating health vulnerabilities. Bekele-Thomas joins a distinguished board chaired by H.E. Macky Sall, former President of Senegal, alongside Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth &…

Nov

06

2025

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Africa charts path to pharmaceutical self-sufficiency at landmark Mombasa conference

HEALTH

AFRICA'S ambitious journey toward health sovereignty reaches a critical milestone as the continent's regulatory brain trust convenes in Mombasa for the Seventh Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII), November 11-13. The high-stakes gathering brings together more than 300 policymakers, regulators, researchers, and industry leaders to forge the regulatory framework that will enable Africa to produce the majority of its own medicines, vaccines, and medical devices – a transformation deemed essential for the continent's health security and economic independence. Under the theme "Regulatory Harmonisation – Unlocking Africa's Potential in Health Product Manufacturing and Trade," the conference represents…

Oct

29

2025

By CARLOS CORONEL and AGUSTÍN IBÁÑEZ

Creativity is good for the brain and might even slow down its ageing – new study

HEALTH

CREATIVE experience might enhance brain health, which could slow down the brain’s ageing. That’s according to a study by a group of international scientists across 13 countries. They found that creative activities, like dance classes – the tango proved particularly effective – or art classes or music lessons or a hobby like gaming, had a positive impact on an artificial intelligence (AI) “brain clock”. And the more the participant practised their art form, the “younger” their brain clocks were. We asked the lead researchers, neuroscientists Carlos Coronel and Agustín Ibáñez, to explain their study. What is brain health? Brain health…