In the heart of communities, where health crises are felt most, resilience is built from the ground up. Today, a shift is taking place across Africa that places the communities at the centre of health solutions. Why? Because the most effective and sustainable solutions are crafted within these local areas, where people know their needs the most.
This was the key message that emerged during the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC)2025 session titled “Locally Led, People-Centred Action: Key to Resilient Health Systems”. Organized by The Rockefeller Foundation in Collaboration with Amref Health Africa, Africa CDC, and other key partners, the discussion underscored a simple but often overlooked truth—health systems thrive when communities lead the way in addressing their own health challenges.
The keynote speaker, Lillian Mutua, Head of Health Production in Nairobi City County Government, reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing how large-scale health emergencies disrupt not only global health security but also community resilience. “Communities play a pivotal role in such health crises. Strengthening community knowledge through clear, concise and factual information is essential in curbing the spread of infections, reducing morbidity and mortality, and fostering resilience,” she explained. Lillian highlighted the success of community-led approaches such as engaging local leaders, empowering youth through digital platforms and educating children using peer-to-peer models. These strategies proved effective in Kenya’s health preparedness efforts during the pandemic.
The session also spotlighted successful community-led initiatives across Africa. For example, in Zambia, traditional dances and drama was used as innovative ways to promote vaccination updates—an approach that resonated deeply with local cultural values and effectively engaged the community in health interventions.
Collaboration: The Key to Success
One of the biggest challenges identified was the fragmentation of health interventions across sectors. Governments, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector often work in isolation, hindering comprehensive, coordinated efforts. As Mr. Gerishom Gimaiyo from The Rockefeller Foundation and Vuyo Mjekula from MSD Africa emphasized, achieving widespread health coverage requires strong partnerships.
The Global Health Security Unit funded by global partners such as Mastercard Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Pfizer, and implemented by Amref Health Africa in collaboration with Africa CDC and local partners, has played a significant role in Africa’s vaccination efforts. Over 32 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across 32 countries in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa, highlighting the power of collaboration in overcoming health crises.
Key Achievements from the Vaccination Action Network (VAN) Project.
Dr. Lucy Mazyanga of the Africa CDC advocated for local vaccine manufacturing, stressing that Africa has relied on external sources for medical supplies, leaving communities vulnerable to delays and shortages. The call for regional solutions through innovation, research, and production came out firmly throughout the session.
Trust: The Foundation of Health Interventions
As Dr. David Musoke from Makerere University shared, trust is the bedrock upon which successful health interventions are built. Using participatory research approaches such as photovoice, which communities document their own health challenges and propose solutions. “When people are given a voice, they take ownership of their health outcomes,” said Dr Musoke.
David Weme, a medical anthropologist from Amref Health Africa added that trust is built through reliability, truth, and capability. “When health authorities engage with communities transparently and inclusively, misinformation is dismantled and participation increases,” he said.
Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy
Despite the significant progress made in vaccination efforts, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy remain. Misinformation, continues to fuel resistance, jeopardizing public health strides.
However, the session offered hope. Key recommendations included investing in community health workers, strengthening public-private partnerships, and ensuring inclusion of marginalized groups—such as the elderly, people living with comorbidities— into health programs.
A Future Foundation Built on Local Strength
As the session drew to a close, a clear vision for the future of health in Africa emerged: resilient health systems cannot be imposed from above—they must be cultivated from within. Communities are not just beneficiaries of healthcare; – they are its architects. When empowered with the right tools and resources, local communities transform health challenges into opportunities.
“We need to work together. Working in silos has not taken us far.” Dr Lucy Mazyanga reiterated, urging all stakeholders to break down barriers and collaborate effectively.
The future of health in Africa lies in the power of locally led, people-centred actions. Supporting and amplifying the voices of those at the forefront is crucial to drive change and achieve universal health coverage. By empowering local communities to make informed decisions and valuing their unique insights, we can strengthen health systems, improve health outcomes, and foster greater community engagement.
Authors:
- David Mitine – Communications Officer, Global Health Security Unit
- Colleta Kiilu – Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Global Health Security Unit
- Jackson Musembi – Regional Project Manager, Global Health Security Unit