(Juba) – The East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) concluded in Juba last Friday with nine resolutions aimed at improving the region’s health systems to better handle existing and emerging threats. The three day event brought together scientists, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across the East African Community (EAC).
A key focus of the resolutions was the need to strengthen referral hospitals, particularly Juba Teaching Hospital, which was identified as one of the most vulnerable in the region. Dr. Steve Wandigo, co-rapporteur of the conference, said all EAC member states were urged to invest in equipping and upgrading both national and regional referral facilities to ensure better access to surgical care.
“There is a need to commit to equipping and upgrading national and regional referral hospitals. A case in point is Juba Teaching Hospital,” Dr. Wandigo said. He added that improving higher-level hospitals must also include support for lower-level health centres.
The conference also recommended developing cancer screening programmes and improving diagnostics and disease registries across the region. Delegates emphasised that early detection is crucial in preventing avoidable deaths from diseases like cervical cancer.
Strengthening the health workforce was another major point of agreement. This includes increasing support to medical students through grants, creating structured internship programmes, and improving community level health services.
The conference also called for harmonised regional health policies, the development of digital health platforms, and greater public awareness of online health services.
Dr. Wandigo outlined further recommendations, including reforms in health financing. The conference agreed that EAC member states should allocate at least 5% of their national GDPs to health. Other proposals included taxing harmful products like alcohol and tobacco and establishing social protection systems to improve access to care.
Mental health was also highlighted, with recommendations to integrate screening and treatment for depression, particularly in HIV clinics, and to include mental health services in public health care systems. Delegates also called for the establishment of specialised cancer units in referral hospitals.
“It is now up to all stakeholders — EAC member states, the EAC Secretariat, donors, researchers, health workers, and the public — to turn these resolutions into real action,” Dr. Wandigo said.
The conference, held under the theme “Addressing Health Priorities and Advancing the East African Health Agenda,” marked a milestone for South Sudan, which hosted the event for the first time.
Prof. Rose Aja Costa, a South Sudanese commissioner with the East African Scientific Research Commission, expressed pride in the country’s successful hosting. “There were people who doubted South Sudan’s ability to host this event. Today, I am proud we did it and are handing it to the next country,” she said.
Costa noted that the academic discussions and presentations were of high quality and hoped the knowledge gained would improve health services in South Sudan. She quoted the late Dr. John Garang, saying, “Our country will never be the same again.”
Amanya Jacob, Director of Research at the Ministry of Health in South Sudan, admitted preparations were difficult. “We were told to submit over 50% of the abstracts as a host country. If we didn’t, we couldn’t host,” he said. Jacob said he personally presented more than eight abstracts during the event.
Beatrice Askul Moi, Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, used the opportunity to push back against negative narratives about Juba. “People say Juba is unsafe, but I’ve been here three days, and I can tell you that’s not true,” she said.
She encouraged fellow EAC countries to interact more and visit South Sudan. “We often receive advisory notes saying Juba is not safe, but this should be disproved. The media must report that Juba is safe,” Moi added.
