As the world marked World Health Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has called on governments across the continent to increase investment in science and innovation to strengthen health systems and safeguard future generations.
In a message released to commemorate the day, Dr Janabi emphasized that decades of scientific progress have underpinned longer life expectancy, improved disease prevention, and access to life-saving treatments globally.
This year’s theme, “Together for health. Stand with science,” highlights the critical role research and innovation continue to play in addressing both longstanding and emerging health challenges.
Dr Janabi noted that Africa has increasingly become a contributor to global health solutions, citing key milestones such as the rapid development and deployment of Ebola vaccines during outbreaks in West and Central Africa.
He also pointed to South Africa’s genomic sequencing efforts, which enabled early detection of new COVID-19 variants, shaping international response strategies.
He further highlighted the establishment of WHO-supported mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs, which are expected to boost the continent’s capacity to manufacture its own vaccines—an important step toward reducing reliance on external supplies.
“Through science, we are not only solving African problems, but helping shape global solutions,” Dr Janabi said.
Across the continent, he noted, evidence-based public health interventions have yielded significant gains. Expanded immunization programmes have protected millions from preventable diseases, while antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a fatal illness into a manageable condition. Investments in maternal and child health have also led to a marked decline in deaths among mothers and newborns.
Despite this progress, the WHO warned that Africa still faces a complex set of health challenges, including persistent infectious diseases, emerging threats, and overstretched health systems. Dr Janabi stressed that addressing these issues requires coordinated action across governments, sectors, and communities.
Central to this approach is the “One Health” strategy, which promotes collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to tackle risks such as zoonotic diseases and environmental hazards. According to WHO, 46 African countries have developed National Action Plans for Health Security, while all member states now have strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
However, gaps remain. The WHO cited limited funding for research and innovation, uneven surveillance systems, and weak early warning mechanisms as key obstacles to effective health responses.
To address these challenges, the organization is advocating for a renewed commitment to four priority areas: universal health coverage, resilient health systems, modernization through workforce development and digital tools, and stronger national ownership of health programmes.
Dr Janabi urged African governments to increase domestic funding for science and innovation, describing it as essential for both health security and sustainable development. He also called on international partners to deepen support for African-led research and ensure equitable access to technologies and knowledge.
“Science should be as unrestricted as the health threats we face,” he said, warning that breakthroughs that fail to reach those most in need remain incomplete.
He concluded that greater investment in African innovation, combined with global collaboration, would not only improve health outcomes on the continent but also contribute to a safer, healthier world for all.
