Windhoek: The Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Southern Africa region has elected Zimbabwe's Dr Raiva Simbi as its new chairperson. Dr Iyaloo Mwaningange from Namibia has been elected as the vice chairperson. Both will serve for a one-year term.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the election of the new leadership took place during a meeting held in Windhoek. Dr Simbi and Dr Mwaningange are succeeding the outgoing chairperson, Dr Matthew Kagoli of Malawi, and the outgoing vice chairperson, Dr Oratile Mfokeng. The elections were conducted prior to the fifth Southern Africa Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (ReSCO) meeting, which is scheduled to occur on 20-21 August in Windhoek.

Penda Ithindi, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, addressed the ReTAC meeting's opening session. He emphasized the growing complexity of public health challenges in Southern Africa, highlighting the necessity of regional cooperation to overcome these issues. Ithindi remarked, "These challenges should serve as a reminder that no country can achieve health security in isolation."

Ithindi stressed the importance of investing in shared public health infrastructure, including surveillance systems, laboratories, and technical expertise, to enhance the region's preparedness and response capabilities. He stated, "We must continue to strengthen our institutions, develop and retain our technical expertise, improve our surveillance and laboratory capacities, and build systems that are robust and resilient."

Outgoing chairperson Dr Kagoli highlighted the need for sustainable domestic health financing, urging the region to lessen its reliance on external funding. He noted, "We've relied on external funding for far too long. At least the process needs to start of weaning ourselves and broadening the space for domestic financing." Dr Kagoli also emphasized the importance of stronger national public health institutes for ensuring health security in Africa.

The ReTAC meeting serves as a platform for representatives of national public health institutes, health experts, and Africa CDC officials to review progress and advance regional health security initiatives.