Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has been elected Second Vice Chairperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, giving Zimbabwe a leadership role in shaping the continent’s health agenda.
Dr Mombeshora was elected during the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (AFR/RC76), which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 to 28 August, bringing together health ministers and senior officials from the WHO African Region’s 47 member states.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed the development, describing the election as a significant opportunity for Zimbabwe to contribute to regional health policy and priorities.
“Dr Mombeshora’s election as Second Vice Chairperson reflects Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing health priorities across the African continent,” the ministry said.
The ministry said the new position would enable Zimbabwe to play a greater role in deliberations on critical health challenges facing the continent, including health-system strengthening, universal health coverage and preparedness for public health emergencies.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to work closely with WHO and other Member States in promoting resilient health systems, improving access to quality healthcare and strengthening collective preparedness and response to public health emergencies,” the ministry said.
The AFR/RC76 is being chaired by Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba Feyssa, who was elected Chairperson of the session. Niger’s Minister of Public Health, Colonel-Major Garba Hakimi, was elected the other Vice Chairperson alongside Dr Mombeshora.
The WHO Regional Committee for Africa is the organisation’s decision-making body on health policy in the region and comprises health ministers or their representatives from all 47 member states. Its functions include formulating regional policies and overseeing the work of the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
The five-day session is considering a range of issues affecting the continent’s health systems, including the Africa Health Workforce Agenda for 2026–2035, sustainable health financing, regulation of medical products, emergency medical teams, polio transition and implementation of amendments to the International Health Regulations.
Dr Mombeshora’s election comes as Zimbabwe continues implementing reforms under its National Health Strategy, with Government placing greater emphasis on strengthening health systems, expanding the health workforce and improving access to medicines and healthcare services.
