UK-Africa Health Summit 2024: Strengthening partnerships for a healthier future

The UK-Africa Health Summit 2024, held on 18 & 19 March at the Royal College of General Practitioners in London, brought together global health leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to address the most pressing challenges facing health systems worldwide. The Summit, organised by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) and supported by Uganda UK Health Alliance, Kenya UK Health Alliance, Tanzania UK Health Alliance and other partners provided a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and driving progress in Health Partnerships between the UK and Africa. 

We are delighted to have attracted almost 300 participants with 66 speakers in total, including the Uganda Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine; High Commissioner of Kenya to the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland, H.E. Manoah Esipisu EBS; WHO Director – Health Workforce, Jim Campbell; UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP; and UK Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, The Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson CBE MP.

One of the Summit’s defining moments came during the keynote speech by Minister Andrew Mitchell, who announced the award of up to £4.45 million in additional funding for the Global Health Workforce Programme over the next two years. This significant investment will support health workforce development in more countries, recognising the critical role of healthcare professionals in improving health outcomes to advance progress towards UHC.  

The Summit featured a series of inspiring keynote speeches from renowned global health experts, including Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Professor Davies delivered a compelling session on the importance of collective effort in combatting AMR, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to address this growing global threat. She highlighted the urgent need for action and the critical role of partnerships in developing and implementing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of AMR on health systems worldwide. 

During the two-day event, participants explored the challenges and opportunities in strengthening health systems, promoting ethical recruitment practices, and leveraging the expertise of diaspora health workers. The summit provided a space for knowledge exchanges, networking, and the identification of innovative strategies and best practices for tackling pressing health challenges, such as AMR, through collaborative efforts. 

The event also emphasized the need for sustained investment in health workforce development, recognising that a strong, supported, and motivated workforce is central to effective healthcare delivery. The invaluable contributions of diaspora health workers to global health also took centre-stage, highlighting the importance of ethical recruitment practices that benefit both countries of heritage and destination countries. 

As we move forward from the Summit, it is clear that the path to a healthier future lies in strengthening global Health Partnerships. By working together, sharing knowledge, and leveraging our collective expertise, we can drive meaningful progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving health outcomes for all. 

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