Health ministers from across Southern Africa are meeting in Durban, South Africa, to strengthen regional responses to disease outbreaks, climate-related health risks and funding pressures affecting essential healthcare programs.

The five-day meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) ministers responsible for health and HIV/AIDS opened on Monday, November 9, as South Africa continues its chairship of the regional bloc. Discussions are focused on turning regional commitments into practical action, with particular attention to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the need for stronger disease surveillance, early-warning systems and coordinated cross-border responses.

Ministers in attendance are also expected to examine the health implications of the anticipated 2026–27 El Niño phenomenon, including the risks of food insecurity, malnutrition, water shortages and climate-sensitive diseases. The discussions will consider ways to strengthen disaster preparedness, nutrition interventions and health systems to ensure essential services continue during climate-related emergencies.

Another key priority for the Durban gathering is to strengthen regional pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. Ministers are expected to discuss expanding the manufacture of vaccines, medicines and diagnostic products, alongside efforts to establish and operationalise the SADC Pharmaceutical Pooled Procurement Services. The initiative aims to use the collective purchasing power of member states to improve affordability, strengthen supply security and support regional manufacturers.

"The meeting convenes at a pivotal time for the region’s health and development agenda. Under South Africa’s chairmanship of SADC, discussions will focus on turning the regional commitments into concrete actions. South Africa’s hosting of this joint meeting underscores its commitment to advancing regional solidarity and collective responsibility in addressing shared health challenges,” South Africa's Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said.

Health financing and the sustainability of HIV/AIDS programmes will also feature prominently, as declining development assistance puts pressure on public health budgets. Ministers will review progress towards the global 95-95-95 HIV targets and consider how to protect prevention, treatment and care services, including access to newer prevention technologies.

The 95-95-95 targets aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression. The targets form part of global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.

The agenda also covers malaria control and elimination, sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and universal health coverage. The meeting will conclude with the commemoration of SADC Malaria Day on November 13, highlighting the importance of sustained regional cooperation in malaria prevention, surveillance and control.