In a defining moment for African healthcare, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has issued a clarion call to action: Universities must move from the periphery to the center of the Primary Health Care (PHC) agenda.
Speaking at the Second Primary Health Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 4, 2026, Prof. Mpedi argued that the gap between academic training and community needs is a risk we can no longer afford.
The Crisis in Numbers
Prof. Mpedi highlighted the staggering reality facing the continent:
- The Poverty Trap: Over 150 million Africans are pushed into poverty annually due to out-of-pocket health expenses.
- The Talent Gap: The WHO estimates a shortfall of 6.1 million healthcare workers in Africa by 2030.
- The Solution: PHC remains the most equitable route to Universal Health Coverage and “health justice.”
Universities as “Central Architects”
Prof. Mpedi’s message was clear: Universities are not abstract institutions—they are engines of human capital. To transform the sector, higher education must:
- Align Curricula with Reality: Ensure graduates are prepared for the epidemiological and technological disruptions reshaping the health landscape.
- Drive Societal Impact: Extend the university’s mandate beyond campus walls to answer the “cries of the communities” around them.
- Foster Innovation: Use research and technology to solve fiscal constraints and climate-related health threats.
Building an African Network
The UJ delegation’s visit to Kenya wasn’t just about the keynote; it was about building a resilient ecosystem. Key collaborations were explored with:
- The Equity Group & Partner Universities: Focusing on leadership development, research, and exchange programs.
- The African Academy of Sciences (AAS): Discussing mutual interests in sustainability and technological partnerships.
- The UJ-Kenya Alumni: Strengthening the network of graduates who are already leading change on the ground.
As the theme of the congress suggested—Redesigning Primary Healthcare: Building Resilience Amidst Global Uncertainty—the future of African health depends on the synergy between those who teach the healers and the systems that deploy them.
