Join PATH at the 4th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025)

PATH representatives will join regional and global health leaders at the 4th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) 2025 from Wednesday, October 22, to Saturday, October 25, at the Durban International Convention Centre in South Africa. Held under the theme "Moving towards self-reliance to achieve universal health coverage and health security in Africa," this year's conference will spotlight Africa's leadership in building resilient health systems, advancing local manufacturing, and driving innovation to meet the continent's health needs.

PATH will showcase how our partnerships, advocacy, and innovations in primary health care are helping to break down barriers to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen health security. From financing reforms and regional strategies to genomic surveillance and research and development (R&D), PATH is committed to supporting African-led solutions that promote self-reliance and equity.

Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Durban time (SAST)
Venue: Hall 3A1

Official CPHIA Side Event | From Policy to Practice: How Kenya's Primary Care Networks Are Transforming PHC Reforms and Financing

As countries strive toward universal health coverage (UHC) and health security, Kenya's model for primary health care (PHC) implementation, the Primary Care Networks (PCNs), offers valuable lessons in translating policy into practice. The PCN model, anchored in person-centered, integrated service delivery, is strengthening PHC through improved coordination, partnerships, and innovative financing at the county level. This session will spotlight Kenya's experience across seven counties while inviting reflections from regional leaders, including the Africa CDC, International Centre for Primary Health Care Excellence (ICPHCE), and other partners, on how these lessons can inform PHC reforms across Africa. The dialogue will explore practical innovations, policy enablers, and financing strategies essential for scaling resilient, equitable, and self-reliant PHC systems across the continent.

Time: 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Durban time (SAST)
Venue: Meeting Room 12E

Official CPHIA Side Event | Financing the Future: Understanding Country Responses to Donor Funding Shifts in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Immunization in 10 African Countries

Register here to attend the event virtually

At this side event, PATH will share findings from a study reviewing Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocation trends over the past decade, with an emphasis on domestic financing for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and immunization, and analyzing coping and alternative financing mechanisms adopted by governments and stakeholders in Africa. The study focuses on ten sub-Saharan African countries: Somalia, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mozambique.

The session will also mark the official launch of the Africa Regional Immunization Advocacy Strategy (2025–2030). PATH shepherded the development of the strategy alongside Africa CDC, the Gavi CSO Constituency, and the Steering Committee*, with* Ministries of Health Expanded Program on Immunization representatives, WACI Health, parliamentarians, and many other civil society stakeholders to provide a shared advocacy vision to accelerate progress toward immunization equity in Africa.

Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Durban time (SAST)
Venue: Meeting Room 12CD

Official CPHIA Side Event | Joining Forces: Powering a Regional Movement to Accelerate Maternal and Child Survival

Register here to attend the event virtually

This side event marks the official launch of the Africa Regional MNCH Advocacy Strategy (2025–2030) developed by PATH alongside some of Africa's public health leaders—African Union Commission, Africa CDC, various ministries of health, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Partnerships for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH), the Every Woman Every Child Everywhere (EWENE) Advocacy & Accountability Working Group, Child Survival Action (CSA), and many other civil society stakeholders—to provide a shared advocacy vision to accelerate progress in reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality across Africa.

The session will present a newly designed regional advocacy approach to bridge the persistent gap between political commitments and outcomes while addressing fragmented advocacy efforts.

Virtual Abstract Presentation

Presenter: Fred Mulati, Design and Innovation Specialist, PATH Kenya
Format: Online Poster Hall Presentation

Applying a Human-Centered Design (HCD) Approach to Co-Create a Low-Cost Outreach Model in Turkana County

The Zero Dose Learning Agenda aims to geographically segment Zero Dose Children (ZDC) and understand the drivers that lead to them being zero-dose children. In Turkana County, Kenya, barriers such as distance, competing priorities, gender inequalities, and high outreach costs were identified as key drivers contributing to zero dose cases. A key barrier to consistent outreaches identified was the withdrawal of donor funding and the changing donor landscape, which left health services inaccessible to many in hard-to-reach (HTR) areas that relied on outreaches. In response, PATH co-developed concepts with local stakeholders, prioritizing the following: strengthening referrals through community champions, and redesigning outreaches to reduce costs, promote sustainability post-partner support, and ensure outreach consistency in HTR areas.

This abstract highlights how PATH used human-centered design to co-create a low-cost outreach model in Turkana County. The approach emphasizes community engagement, local context, and sustainable service delivery for underserved populations.

Time: 7:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Durban time (SAST)
Venue: Meeting Room 12E

Official CPHIA Side Event | Health Research and Development (R&D) Financing in Africa: Towards Resilience, Innovation, and Sovereignty

Africa's health R&D landscape stands at a turning point. As external donor funding has declined by nearly 70% since 2021 and domestic investment remains limited, the need for sustainable, African-led R&D financing has never been greater. This session will examine strategies to strengthen R&D governance and financing, reduce donor dependence, and align investments with Africa CDC's Continental R&D Prioritization Framework. Discussions will map current investment flows, identify gaps, and showcase national and subnational financing models. By emphasizing regional leadership and community engagement, the session seeks to advance a resilient, self-sustaining R&D ecosystem that underpins Africa's health security and equity.

Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Durban time (SAST)
Venue: Hall 3A2

Official CPHIA Side Event | Operationalization of Genomic Sequencing in Zambia as a Regional Center of Excellence Using the Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Center of Africa CDC

Follow this link to register for the side event

As a Regional Center of Excellence under the Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Center, with a proven track record in outbreak responses (Cholera, Mpox, COVID-19) and disease surveillance innovations, Zambia is poised to be a hub for technical support, training, and mentorship in genomic sequencing for Southern Africa. This will foster partnerships among African public health institutes for coordinated health security responses, advance knowledge sharing and networking on genomic sequencing platforms for priority pathogens, advocate for workforce development in genomic sequencing and data analytics, and integrate pathogen genomic surveillance into national health strategic policies and plans.

Organized by the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), PATH, and Africa CDC, this high-level roundtable will showcase Zambia's leadership in genomic sequencing and its role as a regional hub. The session will feature speakers from ministries of health, Africa CDC, and leading research institutions, and will explore how genomic surveillance can strengthen regional health security.

Media Inquiries

PATH's CPHIA 2025 delegation is available for media interviews, speaking engagements, and panel discussions. Send us an email at media@path.org.