Africa unites for climate-resilient healthcare in 2026 Conference

The Botswana Association of Family Physicians (BAOFP) is calling for enhanced collaboration among African nations to build resilient primary healthcare systems amid escalating climate and health challenges. In response to a query from the Weekend Post, BAOFP Chairperson Dr. Claire Brockbank and Vice Chair Dr. Yaone Bogatsu, both members of the 9th WONCA Africa Region Conference 2026 organizing committee, emphasized the conference’s goal to shift discussions on planetary health and primary care toward actionable, Africa-centered solutions.

The conference, themed “We Are One: Africa United to Advance Planetary Health Through Collaboration and Resource Alignment in Primary Health Care,” spotlights the need for stronger partnerships, research, and robust primary healthcare across the continent. “The theme ‘We Are One’ underscores the urgency of forging tight-knit alliances among African academics and health professionals to tackle pressing issues like food insecurity, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and the surge in non-communicable diseases,” they explained. The event aims to create a platform for African experts to share locally sourced data, addressing research gaps and fostering climate and health research tailored to Africa’s unique needs.

Highlighting primary healthcare’s critical role, the organizers noted its capacity to identify community vulnerabilities before they escalate into wider regional or global crises. The conference also aims to enhance professional development, offering opportunities for both emerging and seasoned practitioners to exchange knowledge. Meanwhile, BAOFP continues to mentor trainee doctors and champion the pivotal role of family physicians in primary care.

Drs. Brockbank and Bogatsu stressed the importance of tangible outcomes from the conference, including strengthened partnerships, locally generated research, and improved community interventions. “Our success will be measured by enhanced collaborations, increased Africa-focused research, and heightened community awareness of climate change and its health effects,” they said. The conference will culminate in a planetary health declaration and a regional action plan to advance climate-resilient, sustainable, and equitable primary healthcare in Africa, ensuring discussions translate into real-world impact.

The association linked planetary health directly to healthcare outcomes, warning that Africa’s exposure to extreme heat, drought, flooding, and poor air quality threatens water supplies, food production, and human health. “Planetary health and primary healthcare are inseparable. Despite Africa’s minimal contribution to climate change, the continent suffers profoundly from its consequences, including heat-related illnesses, non-communicable diseases, and infectious outbreaks,” the organizers said.

They underscored the necessity of strengthening primary healthcare and Universal Health Coverage to enable prevention, early detection, and treatment—especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and children. The recent resurgence of malaria in Botswana, linked to heavy rains and heat, was cited as a clear example of environmental factors influencing health.

BAOFP urged greater coordination across government ministries, stronger regional research networks, and better resource allocation toward community-impactful programs. “Unified action across ministries is critical to mitigate climate and health challenges. Enhancing research networks and directing resources toward proven primary and community health initiatives will ensure sustainable, people-centered interventions,” they said.

Family physicians, young health professionals, researchers, and policymakers will all play key roles in advancing the conference’s mission. Family physicians serve as vital links between health systems, communities, and policymakers, while young professionals are encouraged to engage in research and innovation. Researchers will present recent findings, with policymakers tasked with translating evidence into strategies addressing climate-related health issues.

The conference will also address Africa’s dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, with climate change expected to exacerbate existing pressures. Discussions will cover HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, heat-related illnesses, asthma, hypertension, stroke, kidney disease, diarrheal illnesses, malnutrition, maternal and child health, mental health, elderly care, health workforce shortages, financing, and digital health.

Digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) are anticipated to feature prominently, particularly in overcoming geographic barriers and workforce shortages. AI could enhance disease screening, outbreak detection, and clinical decisions, while telemedicine may reduce travel burdens and expand specialist access. Yet, the organizers cautioned that unreliable electricity, limited internet, high costs, and low technological literacy could hinder adoption.

They also expressed concern about the underrepresentation of African data in AI systems, warning that this could lead to technologies poorly suited to local populations and environments. “AI learns from its programmers, and data from Africa represents a tiny fraction of what’s fed into these systems. This risks producing solutions that don’t reflect our realities. Moreover, the environmental footprint of AI data centers may worsen climate issues we’re trying to solve. Technology must support, not replace, health professionals,” they said.

For Botswana, BAOFP hopes the conference will boost awareness of family medicine and inspire more medical students to enter the field. The event aligns with the government’s National Health Insurance policy and Universal Health Coverage goals, while supporting research into primary care and climate health. The association advocates embedding planetary health education into medical curricula, health policies, and practices to fortify Botswana’s healthcare system. Ultimately, BAOFP envisions the conference as a milestone for advancing family medicine and improving health outcomes in Botswana, while positioning the country as a leader in resilient primary healthcare on the continent.

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