Africa Conference in Cairo Brings Together Top Medical Experts for Kno

Medical leaders from across Africa and beyond are converging on Cairo for the prestigious 28th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA). The conference, which runs from August 23 to 27, 2026, will bring together medical regulators and healthcare stakeholders to strengthen the regulation of doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals.

High-Level Participation Expected

The conference will attract significant high-level participation, with President John Dramani Mahama expected to perform the opening ceremony on Monday, August 24. According to Registrar for the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, the event will also feature the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) and the World Health Organisation African Region.

These two institutions will participate in the conference for the first time, marking a significant milestone in AMCOA's efforts to strengthen healthcare regulation on the continent. Dr. Banyubala expressed excitement about the gathering, stating, "We are privileged to have His Excellency the President, who has been kind enough to do the opening ceremony for us on the 24th."

Focus on Regulation for Safer Communities

The conference will focus on the theme "Regulation for Safer Communities Towards Universal Health Coverage." Dr. Banyubala emphasized that effective healthcare regulation is critical to achieving universal health coverage because access to healthcare alone is not enough. "People must have access, but also access to basic quality and safe healthcare," he said.

The association's work focuses on ensuring that healthcare professionals are properly trained, registered, and licensed, possess the required competencies, and uphold ethical standards while remaining accountable to patients. Dr. Banyubala highlighted the importance of regulators in setting educational and professional standards, determining who can enter the healthcare profession, monitoring professional conduct, and establishing mechanisms to hold practitioners accountable.

Addressing the Mobility of Healthcare Professionals

A key area of discussion at the conference will be the African Healthcare Practitioner Regulatory Policy Outlook, which examines how regulatory systems can respond to the mobility of healthcare workers while protecting patients. Dr. Banyubala stated that professional mobility is not inherently a problem but must be properly managed to ensure that practitioners who cross borders meet appropriate regulatory requirements.

This issue is particularly relevant to Ghana, where the government has been working on managed migration policies for healthcare professionals in collaboration with relevant institutions. Dr. Banyubala emphasized that while practitioners may cross borders, patient safety must cross with them.

A Platform for Ghana's Health Sector Reforms

The conference will provide Ghana with an opportunity to showcase its health sector reforms and its contribution to healthcare regulation on the continent. Dr. Banyubala said the gathering will provide a platform for Ghana to share its experiences and leadership in health sector reforms. The discussions will cover a broad range of issues, including health sovereignty, innovative approaches to managing health worker migration, and ensuring that healthcare professionals receive appropriate training.

As the conference gets underway, it will be interesting to see how the discussions unfold and what concrete steps will be taken to strengthen healthcare regulation on the continent. With the participation of high-level dignitaries and international organizations, this event promises to be a significant milestone in the pursuit of safer communities and universal health coverage.

Source: JOY