President William Ruto underscored the vital need for self-reliance in Africa’s healthcare sector at the launch of the Program for Investment and Financing in Africa’s Health (PIFAH) initiative.

Speaking at the Summit of the Future in New York on Monday, President Ruto emphasised the continent's historical role in global struggles, particularly during crises such as the recent pandemic.

“We stand at a historic moment as nations gather to reflect on our shared future on this planet. The Pact signed at the Summit recognizes our collective responsibility to break free from historical constraints and offer hope to the next generation,” he stated.

He urged African countries to reduce their reliance on foreign aid, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare.

“The health of our people, the vitality of our youth, and the very foundations of our societies depend on it,” he asserted, advocating for the development of homegrown financing models to tackle challenges in health innovation and food security.

Ruto criticized traditional multilateral resource mobilization systems as outdated and ineffective. 

“Our generation’s responsibility is to break free from this cycle and create a new path that empowers us to drive our development,” he declared.

As the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform, Ruto pledged to look into ways to attract investment in critical social sectors, particularly healthcare.

He emphasised the formation of partnerships aimed at providing every African with an AI-powered Digital Health Wallet, as well as strengthening local biopharma research and manufacturing capabilities for medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.

However, he stressed that the sustainability of these initiatives hinges on innovative funding strategies. “Africa’s rise depends on ensuring our continent has access to capital that can build the health infrastructure we need,” he emphasized.

President Ruto commended AUDA-NEPAD for its role in developing the PIFAH initiative, recognizing its potential to unlock significant resources from the private sector. He assured attendees of his steadfast support for this initiative and expressed optimism that other African leaders would share this commitment.

“I trust that this gathering will galvanize us to focus on these critical issues and the opportunities that lie ahead for Africa,” he concluded, formally launching the PIFAH initiative as a crucial step toward transforming the continent’s healthcare landscape.