African Faith Leaders call national and global commitments to health care funding
On 27th November 2025, Christian leaders from 10 African countries convened a press conference at the All Africa Conference of Churches to advocate for increased national investment and global solidarity to sustain availability and access to essential health services across Africa. The conference was held in partnership with the Christian Connections for International Health and the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (Africa Cha Platform). In her opening remarks, Ms. Ann Kioi, AACC Director for Gender, Women, Youth, and Sustainable Population acknowledged the vital role of the media in mobilizing communities for transformative actions that are key for Africa’s stability and development.
“I am assured that today, we will speak to the world through the you.” Noted Ann as she addressed the participating media houses.
During the press conference, the leaders issued a press statement titled "One Faith, One Voice: A shared commitment to Health and Wholeness in Africa.
In their statement, they stressed that health is a public trust and shared responsibility, quoting Proverbs 31:8: "Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of those who are destitute." The leaders highlighted the severe strain on health systems across Africa, which are struggling to meet growing needs amid critical resource scarcity and challenges to health security. They expressed that at the time of this meeting, Africa was various health crises including the dwindling international support for crucial healthcare programs; notably funding cuts for HIV/AIDS and the rising mortality from preventable diseases.
The statement also drew attention to the overlooked adolescent population, who are grappling with mental health issues, early pregnancy, and substance abuse.
The faith leaders issued a four-pronged call to action, targeting distinct stakeholders. In this call, they urged governments to prioritize equitable and sustained investment in health systems, encouraged national health ministries to engage faith-based communities as integral partners in planning, financing and evaluating national health goals, urged international development partners, global institutions and the private sector to leverage on the trusted role of faith-based actors to maintain predictable support that strengthens national health systems by leveraging the trusted role of faith-based actors, and committed their churches and health associations to model transparency, accountability and stewardship in promoting access to sustainable healthcare services.
Click here to watch the press conference
Click here to download the Press conference full media kit
In the photo: [From L-R - Doug Fountain, Christian Connections for International Health, Nkatha Njeri, Africa Christian Health Associations Platform, Archbishop Alex Malalusa, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Church of Nigeria, Ms. Joyce Daphine Khayiyi, AACC Youth Network/Anglican Church of Uganda, Rev. Francis Mkandawire, Evangelical Association of Malawi and Ann Kioi, All Africa Conference of Churches Photo Courtesy of Mona Bormet, CCIH. Courtesy - Ann Kioi]
