At the second International Primary Health Care Conference in Arusha, Tanzania, from September 9 to 11, 2026, Africa CDC is calling for stronger primary health care systems as a foundation for Universal Health Coverage, health security and greater health sovereignty across the continent.
Arusha has become a meeting point for a continent seeking answers to one of its most persistent health challenges: how to ensure that essential health services reach people where they live.
The second International Primary Health Care Conference brings together policymakers, health professionals, researchers and partners around discussions on sustainable financing, efficiency and quality improvement within primary health care.For African countries, the issue extends far beyond the organization of health facilities. Primary health care is often the first point of contact between communities and health systems.
It covers prevention, health promotion, vaccination, maternal and child health services, early diagnosis and the management of common diseases.Bringing health care closer to communitiesStrengthening this first level of care remains essential in a continent where access to quality health services can vary significantly between urban centers and remote communities.
Distance from health facilities, shortages of health workers, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties in accessing essential medicines continue to affect the delivery of care in many settings.The discussions in Arusha therefore focus not only on expanding services but also on improving the way health systems function. Sustainable financing, better use of available resources and improvements in the quality of care are among the issues being examined.
The challenge is to ensure that primary health care systems can respond to people’s everyday needs while remaining capable of supporting countries during larger public health emergencies.A pillar of health securityThis is where Africa CDC’s participation gives the discussions a broader continental dimension.
For the continental public health agency, strong primary health care systems are also an important component of Africa’s health security.Health systems that are closely connected to communities can contribute to the early identification of health threats, strengthen prevention and improve the response to emerging public health challenges. Community-level services can also help health authorities reach populations earlier and maintain essential care during health emergencies.
In this perspective, investing in primary health care means investing in the resilience of national health systems. The ability to prevent, detect and respond to health threats does not depend solely on specialized hospitals or emergency response mechanisms. It also relates to health services that function effectively at the community level.
From commitments to implementationThe Arusha conference is also taking place against the backdrop of Africa’s ambition to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage. This means ensuring that people can access the essential health services they need without facing financial hardship.Achieving that objective will require more than political commitments. It will depend on stronger health facilities, a better-supported workforce, sustainable financing and reliable access to essential medicines and services.
As discussions continue in Arusha, the central challenge will be to translate continental ambitions into practical improvements for communities. For Africa, the path towards stronger health security and Universal Health Coverage may increasingly begin at the same place: a primary health care system capable of delivering quality care to every community.
