GENEVA – Health ministers and representatives from sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia gathered on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) to reaffirm their commitment to child survival.
Leaders emphasized the importance of integrating life-saving interventions to improve child health outcomes across the Global South.
The high-level roundtable, titled “Integrating Child Survival Delivery Strategies to Maximize Effectiveness and Save Lives,” was co-hosted by Mali’s Ministry of Health, the Centre for Vaccine Development–Mali (CVD-Mali), and the REACH Network.
Ministers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Niger attended, with additional representation from Burkina Faso, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Senegal.
“This moment is about action,” said Col. Dr. Assa Badiallo Touré, Mali’s minister of health and social affairs.
“Millions of African children continue to die every year from causes we can prevent. This must stir us to action, through leadership, solidarity and the courage to do things differently,” he added.
Touré emphasized that national leadership and regional collaboration could bring about lasting, equitable improvements in child survival.
Prof. Samba Sow, co-chair of REACH and director of CVD-Mali, noted the rise of African-led solutions grounded in equity, evidence, and national ownership.
Focus on Integration and Collaboration
With donor funding shrinking and health needs increasing, leaders called for integrated national strategies that deliver immunizations, nutrition, and antibiotics such as azithromycin.
They stressed the importance of breaking down silos and creating platforms that effectively serve children and families.
Global health partners, including UNICEF, PMNCH, WHO, Save the Children and others, participated in the discussions.
They highlighted the need for cross-border collaboration and a multisectoral approach, linking health with water, sanitation, energy and infrastructure.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue dialogue and cooperation.
Leaders agreed to identify national barriers and explore cross-country strategies to scale innovation and track progress.
Participants underscored that child survival must be country-led, system-aligned and driven by accountability.
