The Health Community of West Africa Association has convened a strategic All Partners Briefing and Stakeholders Engagement Meeting in Accra, Ghana, as preparations intensify for the upcoming 2026 China–West Africa Medical Summit & Expo. The engagement, held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the Health Community of West Africa Association headquarters, brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, regulators, investors, researchers, and development partners to refine the vision and structure of the landmark continental-health collaboration initiative.
Organized by the Health Community of West Africa Association in collaboration with strategic partners, the briefing centered on advancing healthcare innovation, investment, manufacturing partnerships, and cross-border medical cooperation between China and West Africa.
In his welcome address, Kwabena Poku Antwi, Head of Association Development at the Health Community of West Africa Association, underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping the summit’s impact.
He expressed appreciation to participating institutions and emphasized that the success of the summit depends on collective input from across the healthcare ecosystem.
“As preparations advance for the 2026 China–West Africa Medical Summit & Expo, your insights, recommendations, and expertise remain essential in shaping an impactful event that responds to current healthcare needs and future opportunities within the region,” he noted.
He further highlighted that the summit is designed to deepen collaboration between China and West Africa through healthcare technology exchange, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and research partnerships.
The upcoming summit, formally titled the 2026 China–West Africa Medical Summit & Expo, is expected to serve as a major platform for policy dialogue and private-sector engagement across the health industry.
A key presentation was delivered by the Essence Referral Doctor, Dr. Paulina Denteh on the Essence Referral Centre, an initiative aimed at improving access to specialized healthcare services through structured referral systems. The initiative, under Essence Clinic and Medical Laboratory, seeks to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery by connecting patients to both local and international specialists.
Dr. Denteh emphasized that many patients continue to face delayed diagnosis, fragmented care pathways, and limited access to advanced treatment options.
“Every patient deserves access to the care they need, regardless of where they live,” she stated.
The centre focuses on complex conditions such as cancers, kidney disease, stroke, cardiovascular disorders, neurological conditions, pediatric complications, fibroids, and rare diseases. Notably, patients can access assessments without requiring a formal referral note, with cases reviewed free of charge to determine appropriate treatment pathway.
Mr. Benjamin Mensah, Clinic Manager at Essence Clinic and Medical Laboratory, presented on the Essence HPV Rapid Test, drawing attention to the growing global burden of cervical cancer.
He highlighted gaps in public awareness, noting that cervical cancer remains less understood than other major health conditions such as breast cancer, leading to late diagnosis and increased mortality rates.
He stressed that many early symptoms are often misinterpreted, resulting in delayed hospital visits and advanced-stage diagnoses.
“These numbers are not just statistics. They represent real women — mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends,” he emphasized.
The initiative promotes rapid testing, early screening, and follow-up diagnostic procedures such as PCR testing to identify HPV strains. Research efforts are also being strengthened to improve public health responses across West Africa
The Vice President of the Health Community of West Africa Association, Mr. Opoku Dogbey, highlighted the need for continuous training in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, while also presenting key components of the upcoming summit.
He noted that the program will open with an official ceremony at Town Palace Hotel, followed by an exhibition tour and thematic forums.
Key sessions will include an Oncology Forum, Ophthalmology Forum, and specialized award recognitions such as Top Young Consultants, Nurses, Medical Experts, and Pharmacy Scholars.
An open forum was held where participants were urged to bring their suggestions on board.
Mr. Edward Brobbey, representing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, proposed dedicated investment roundtables to enhance collaboration between healthcare institutions, policymakers, and investors. He emphasized that structured dialogue would strengthen healthcare investment flows and foster sustainable development across the region.
Regulatory concerns were also a central theme of the discussions, with Dr. Archer Edward of the Food and Drugs Authority Ghana cautioning stakeholders on the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare systems.
He stressed that innovation must be matched with strong regulatory oversight to ensure patient safety and prevent diagnostic errors or treatment risks associated with unregulated AI-enabled medical devices.
He called for stronger collaboration among regulators, developers, investors, and healthcare institutions to ensure compliance and safeguard public health.
Stakeholders collectively proposed the creation of a centralized coordination platform to streamline legal, registration, and partnership processes for participating institutions. This, they noted, would improve transparency, efficiency, and engagement across healthcare and investment ecosystems.
Participants also recommended formalized partnership applications, requiring organizations to clearly define mandates and areas of interest to support structured collaboration.
The All Partners Briefing marks a significant step in positioning the 2026 China–West Africa Medical Summit & Expo as a transformative platform for healthcare advancement in the region. With strong emphasis on innovation, regulation, investment, and patient-centered care, the initiative reflects a growing commitment to strengthening health systems through international cooperation.
As preparations continue, stakeholders remain optimistic that the summit will deliver actionable outcomes that reshape healthcare delivery, investment, and research collaboration across West Africa and beyond.
