At the AfriSummit 2024 held in Cairo from November 3 to 6, a pivotal meeting brought together the Ugandan Ambassador, representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Dr. Hisham Stait, Vice Chairman of Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority (UPA), and officials from the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA). The discussions centered on bolstering pharmaceutical cooperation between Uganda and Egypt, aiming to expand access to safe, quality medicines across Africa.
Strengthening Pharmaceutical Collaboration
The Ugandan delegation praised Egypt’s strides in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly its advanced regulatory framework, quality control standards, and robust infrastructure. Recognizing Egypt as a leader in the sector, Uganda expressed keen interest in leveraging Egyptian expertise to enhance its own healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Hisham Stait affirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s pharmaceutical needs, emphasizing the importance of partnerships to improve healthcare services and strengthen the integration of African healthcare systems.
Key Outcomes and Agreements
The meeting concluded with an agreement to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and the Ugandan Ministry of Health. This MoU will:
- Streamline the approval of Egyptian medicines in Uganda.
- Facilitate expanded Egyptian pharmaceutical market access across Africa.
- Support Uganda in adopting advanced pharmaceutical practices and technologies.
This initiative reflects the shared ambition of both nations to address pressing health challenges while fostering sustainable development in Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.
Highlights from AfriSummit 2024
The meeting was among the key events of the AfriSummit 2024, which gathered over:
- 80 experts in regulatory, legal, manufacturing, and distribution fields.
- 300 healthcare professionals, alongside ambassadors, ministers, and diplomats from across Africa.
The summit saw numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements signed, aimed at addressing regulatory challenges, improving pharmaceutical manufacturing, and enhancing healthcare delivery across the continent.
A Step Toward Continental Unity
AfriSummit 2024 underscored the importance of fostering partnerships among African nations to strengthen health systems and achieve sustainable growth in the healthcare sector. By facilitating dialogue and cooperation, the event established itself as a critical platform for advancing Africa’s pharmaceutical and healthcare ambitions.
This collaboration between Uganda and Egypt reflects the summit’s overarching goal: uniting African countries to build resilient healthcare systems and ensure equitable access to quality medicines for all.
