Health experts from 11 East and Southern African countries have convened in Mombasa to develop strategies aimed at strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reducing Africa's dependence on imported medicines and vaccines. The three-day forum, organised by IGAD under its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, is focusing on regional collaboration, investment, policy harmonisation and innovation to achieve the African Union's target of producing 60 percent of the continent's medicines and vaccines locally by 2040. Participants say stronger regional partnerships will enhance health security, improve access to affordable medicines and build resilience against future disease outbreaks.
