The African Group at the United Nations has warned that the continuing Ebola outbreak is exposing serious weaknesses in global health systems, demanding stronger international cooperation.
The group said recurring disease emergencies demonstrated persistent inequalities in access to healthcare, essential medical services and life-saving technologies.
Speaking on behalf of the African Group, Namibia’s representative raised the concern during Thursday’s meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York.
The intervention followed a presentation by Mariângela Simão, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Physical and Mental Health.
The African Group expressed deep concern over the state of global health, particularly the continued prevalence of infectious diseases and public health emergencies.
It specifically identified the ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak, mpox and Andes hantavirus as examples of health emergencies exposing weaknesses in global preparedness.
The group maintained that such emergencies demonstrated significant gaps in the international health architecture and countries’ capacities to respond effectively.
It consequently demanded stronger healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries facing inadequate resources and persistent health infrastructure challenges.
The African Group emphasised the importance of improving disease detection, health information-sharing and access to essential healthcare services.
It also called for equitable access to emerging technologies, including digital health innovations capable of improving disease surveillance and healthcare delivery.
The group insisted that scientific advances and the benefits of international health research must be shared fairly and serve the needs of vulnerable populations.
It reaffirmed that access to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health was a fundamental human right.
According to the group, the right to health was closely connected with other human rights, including the right to development.
Its intervention came as the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak continued spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the latest regional outbreak began in May.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Wednesday that cases had been reported in Kenya and Nigeria.
The World Health Organisation also confirmed Nigeria’s first imported case on Tuesday, reporting that the patient had travelled recently from Uganda.
According to WHO, laboratory confirmation came on October 20, while Nigerian health authorities identified 44 contacts for monitoring.
The UN health agency warned that countries must strengthen surveillance, laboratory readiness, infection prevention and emergency-response capacities to contain further transmission.
Addressing the Third Committee, Simão highlighted the importance of accountability and access to justice in protecting the right to health.
She explained that legal remedies and independent institutions could strengthen protection against violations and help people obtain appropriate redress.
The African Group, consequently, sought practical recommendations on how governments and the UN could ensure international health initiatives reached the most vulnerable populations.
It reaffirmed the importance of international solidarity, equitable healthcare access and stronger institutions capable of responding effectively to disease outbreaks.
