EAST, Central and Southern African countries are examining the possibility of setting up joint pharmaceutical industries to reduce dependency on foreign imports.

This proposal is one among resolutions of the east, central and southern African regional best practices forum and joint consultative committee meeting here at the weekend.

Dr Dingani Moyo, a Zimbabwean professor of occupational health and key participant, told journalists that African countries intend to come up with joint pharm industries on a contractual basis, to contain diseases and make treatments more affordable.

Frank Mmbando, a health sector official at the East African Community (EAC) secretariat said Tanzania was ready to offer land for such outlays would the need arise. 

Vice President Dr Philip Mpango is expected to grace the climax of the regional event on Wednesday, featuring a ministerial conference for the golden jubilee of the regional health community forum.

Prof Yoswa Gambisya, the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) health community executive director, said that throughout the week the various countries will be showcasing achievements of ECSA operations for the past half century.

The ECSA ministerial conference for the health community’s 50th anniversary has achievements it is fielding, including efforts to fight ‘mortality’ rates of organizations in the region, in maintaining regional health community cohesion during the period, he said.

ECSA organised a charity health walk which saw hundreds of participants trek five kilometres, within the vicinity of the conference complex in the city.

 “As a health-oriented organization we encourage regular exercise among our staff and the city residents for their physical and mental wellbeing,” he stated.

Dr Godfrey Philipo of the Surgeons College at ECSA-HC said that walking is among crucial exercises to help prevent non-communicable diseases that of late have become a threat in society.

Organisers said of the five kilometers walk as ‘step by step for better health and mental wellbeing,’ as a curtain raiser for the golden jubilee events plus helping people to connect with fellow participants.

This will facilitate keener celebration of the organization’s achievements while promoting health and wellness, he stated, while Emmanuela Kaganda, the Arumeru district commissioner, chief guest at the health charity walk, praised ECSA HC for its half century milestone.

Kelvin Mboma, business officer for the KCB Bank Arusha branch, said KCB regularly supports the charity walk as the institution is ac reliable KCB partner.

The health walk was complemented with voluntary blood donation and free health diagnosis at the General Tyre grounds in Njiro area on the eastern outskirts of the city, organisers noted.