International Health Experts Call for a Rethink of Care Systems at Africa Press Day in Nairobi
Held on 4‑5 March 2026, Nairobi – As part of Africa Press Day, leading global health experts gathered to demand a redesign of health‑care systems that guarantees more equitable access to treatment.
“Health and Equity: Who Gets Care and Who Doesn’t?”
The plenary, moderated by Matthieu Galais, CEO of Roche Tunisia & Libya, highlighted the structural barriers that keep the most vulnerable populations out of the health system.
Key speakers
| Speaker | Role | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Jalila Ben Khelil | President, Tunisian Committee for the Protection of Persons | Investing in prevention and primary care |
| Saad Chaacho | Tele‑medicine specialist | Leveraging digital health to close geographic gaps |
| Joanna Bichsel | Founder, Kasha Global (Kenya) | Public‑private partnerships for affordable medicines |
The consensus was clear: reducing health inequities requires both technological innovation and structural investment in prevention and primary‑care services.
Prevention – A High‑Return Investment
During her remarks, Prof. Ben Khelil stressed the need for a holistic approach to tackle the rising burden of chronic diseases without pitting prevention against hospital care.
“We must not set resuscitation against prevention – both are indispensable,” she said.
Four Priority Levers
- Strengthen Primary‑Care Services – systematic disease screening, continuous access to essential medicines, and better coordination across care levels.
- Standardise Treatment Protocols – ensure every patient receives equitable care regardless of location.
- Expand Social‑Protection Coverage – lower out‑of‑pocket expenses so patients seek timely care, avoiding costly complications.
- Scale Up Public‑Health Prevention Programs – anti‑smoking campaigns, promotion of physical activity, and health‑education initiatives.
Ben Khelil highlighted that preventive spending yields a strong return on investment: international data show that preventing a disease is far cheaper than treating it at an advanced stage.
“Patients must understand their illness to manage it better,” she added, underscoring education as a cornerstone in the fight against non‑communicable diseases.
Integrated Care for Better Outcomes
She also pointed to the importance of seamless coordination between primary‑care facilities and specialised services, citing successful public‑health programmes that ensure continuity of care. This integrated model not only raises care quality but also optimises resource utilisation.
Tele‑medicine: Bridging the Medical Desert
Saad Chaacho presented a tele‑medicine solution deployed in Morocco, where connected medical units enable remote specialist consultations.
- Impact: Over 1 million patients served through a mix of general‑practice visits, tele‑expertise, and chronic‑disease screening.
- Benefit: Addresses physician shortages in remote regions and reduces territorial health disparities.
Chaacho argued that digital health is a cost‑effective tool for extending care to underserved communities.
Innovative Partnerships to Expand Treatment Access
Joanna Bichsel emphasized the power of public‑private collaborations to improve access to high‑cost medicines. She showcased case studies where patients received life‑saving treatments thanks to innovative financing models and personalised support.
Key takeaway: Integrating the care pathway—from diagnosis to therapy—acts as a critical lever for narrowing treatment gaps.
A Unified Call to Action
All speakers converged on a single conclusion:
- Strategic investments in prevention, primary care, and innovation are essential to achieve health equity.
- Health should be viewed not as a cost but as an investment that generates lasting social and economic benefits.
“Placing prevention at the heart of health policy, strengthening early screening, health education, and continuity of care are indispensable conditions for reducing health inequities,” affirmed Prof. Ben Khelil.
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