Ramaphosa urges stronger African health systems amid pandemic warnings

Ramaphosa

Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged African countries to urgently strengthen health systems and pandemic preparedness, warning that failing to do so could cost both lives and jobs.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it should not be forgotten despite current national priorities shifting toward unemployment, crime and corruption.

“A little over four years have passed since South Africa emerged from the state of disaster that had been declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he wrote. “It is easy to forget just how deeply the pandemic affected every aspect of our lives.”

He said more than 100,000 South Africans died during the pandemic, while around two million jobs were lost, adding that the long-term effects remain significant even as attention moves elsewhere.

“As we set about rebuilding our economy and society in the wake of the pandemic, our concerns moved on to other matters,” Ramaphosa said.

However, he warned that the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is a reminder that global health threats remain a serious risk.

“The Ebola outbreak reminds us that when a dangerous disease breaks out anywhere on our continent, it does not stay in one place,” he said. “It can easily cross borders, affect communities and disrupt economies. These diseases cost both lives and jobs.”

Ramaphosa said Africa must reduce its dependence on external partners during health emergencies, arguing that the continent needs to strengthen its own capacity to respond.

“We cannot allow that to happen again,” he said, referring to unequal access to vaccines during COVID-19. “While we appreciate the help of international partners, Africa cannot keep depending on others to supply us during a health emergency.”

He highlighted efforts to strengthen local production of vaccines and medicines, as well as initiatives such as the African Medicines Agency and shared procurement systems to improve access to essential supplies.

“We must make our own medicines, tests and vaccines here on the continent,” Ramaphosa said.

The president also called for the establishment of emergency funding mechanisms, noting progress on the proposed African Epidemic Fund and pledging South Africa’s financial support to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

He said South Africa has committed $13.5 million to support Ebola response efforts.

“As a continent, we are taking responsibility for ourselves and not waiting for others,” he said.

Ramaphosa further stressed the need for Africa to play a greater role in shaping global health rules.

“We continue to call for a fair global agreement on pandemics, built on equal partnership rather than charity,” he said.

He concluded by urging immediate action, saying preparedness should not only follow crises.

“We mustn’t wait for the next outbreak or pandemic to get us to act,” Ramaphosa said. “Health security saves lives, protects jobs and helps to safeguard our future.”

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