Three-day conference focuses on financing, efficiency and quality in primary healthcare…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Health leaders, experts and partners from Africa and beyond have gathered in Arusha, Tanzania, for the second International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHC2026), focusing on efforts to strengthen primary healthcare systems and advance Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
The three-day conference, running from September 9 to 11, is being held under the theme, “Towards Universal Health Coverage: Strengthening Sustainable Health Financing, Efficiency and Quality Improvement within PHC.”
The conference has brought together policymakers, health practitioners and development partners to exchange solutions, strengthen partnerships and identify practical measures to build more equitable and resilient health systems.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director General Dr Jean Kaseya joined distinguished speakers at the official opening ceremony, contributing to discussions on strengthening primary healthcare and improving health outcomes across Africa.
Africa CDC said stronger primary healthcare systems remain crucial to the continent’s health security, health sovereignty and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
Kaseya said the conference was examining what is needed for primary healthcare systems to deliver Universal Health Coverage, including sustainable financing for frontline services, reducing the financial burden on families seeking care and ensuring health investments translate into better services.
He also stressed the importance of building health systems capable of withstanding future shocks.
The World Health Organization’s Tanzania office said primary healthcare was at the centre of discussions at the conference, with participants working to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The event is also providing a platform for countries and partners to share experiences and explore approaches to improving efficiency and quality within primary healthcare systems.
The discussions come as African countries seek to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to essential services while making them more resilient to health emergencies.
Kaseya said primary healthcare should be where Africa’s health security and sovereignty become tangible, underscoring the importance of stronger frontline health services in achieving better outcomes for communities across the continent.
