Eritrea urges regional investment in primary health care

Eritrea called for predictable regional investment in primary health care and maternal and child health at the Fourth Regional Ministerial Steering Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on August 18.

Ambassador Beyene Russom delivered the statement on behalf of Health Minister Amna Nurhussien. It urged participating states to expand local production of vaccines and other essential health commodities, strengthen cross-border preparedness and regulatory coordination, and reinforce community health systems.

The statement said Eritrea's primary-care network includes more than 300 health facilities and over 3,000 community health agents serving rural, remote and nomadic communities. It also reported immunization coverage above 90 per cent, a reduction of more than 70 per cent in under-five mortality since 1990, and domestic financing for more than 85 per cent of the national health budget.

The meeting focused on health security and sovereignty, including investment in maternal and child health, resilient primary care, epidemic preparedness and community engagement.