The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, met with Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Botswana and SADC, in Gaborone on 17 June 2026 to reaffirm and strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two institutions.
The meeting highlighted the significance of the collaboration established through the 2002 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has provided a framework for joint efforts to strengthen health systems, enhance health security and sovereignty across the SADC region.
H.E. Magosi expressed appreciation for WHO’s longstanding support to the region and its contribution to advancing the health sector, noting the significant impact this partnership has had on improving the lives of people across SADC Member States. He emphasised the importance of finalising the renewed partnership framework and translating shared commitments into tangible benefits for the region’s citizens. The Executive Secretary further noted that strengthened collaboration in disease surveillance, health security, preparedness and access to essential health products would play a critical role in improving health outcomes and building resilient health systems. Taking into consideration the lessons learnt from COVID-19, the Executive Secretary noted the need for mapping and strengthening the whole health product manufacturing value chain, thus enhancing the region’s local manufacturing capacity and preparedness.
Dr. Ndenzako assured the Executive Secretary of WHO’s continued support for regional initiatives, including local manufacturing and pooled procurement of health commodities, strengthening regional health institutions and advancing coordinated responses through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). In this regard, he also introduced Dr. Miriam Nanyunja, WHO’s newly appointed Senior Health Adviser to SADC who will serve as the strategic and technical focal point between the two organisations. The Senior Health Adviser will enhance technical support to the Secretariat and strengthen collaboration in key areas such as health security, early warning systems, rapid response coordination and preparedness for disease outbreaks.
The two parties also discussed the implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded Resilient Health Systems for Emergency Preparedness (RHeSEP) Project, which aims to strengthen regional health systems and enhance preparedness for public health emergencies. The project will be jointly implemented by the SADC Secretariat and WHO, with funding allocations of US$4.3 million and US$5 million respectively. Both parties commended and encouraged the spirit of co-mobilising resources to enhance coordinated health response in the region.
The meeting also reviewed progress towards the renewal of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO) and SADC Memorandum of Understanding. The updated MoU is being developed to reflect current regional health priorities and provide a strengthened framework for coordination, joint planning and harmonised technical support to Member States.
