Second G20 Health Working Group
From 25 to 28 March 2025, South Africa hosted the second G20 Health Working Group (HWG) meeting at The Capital Zimbali Resort, KwaZulu-Natal.
The mandate of the HWG is to improve global health by addressing health challenges, building resilient health systems, and promoting equitable access to health services.
The meeting took place under the theme for the HWG during South Africa’s G20 presidency to Accelerate Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage in support of South Africa’s overarching G20 presidency theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.
The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, delivered the keynote address during the opening session and was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli; and provincial Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane.
Minister Motsoaledi reiterated the importance of nations reallocating resources towards health, strengthening global health partnerships, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to address funding gaps. He highlighted South Africa’s commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) through the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which aims to provide financial protection and efficient resource utilisation. He further noted a concerning trend of declining global health budgets coupled with rising costs at a time when there is a limited remaining period to achieve the important United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all. On non-communicable diseases, the Minister highlighted the importance of addressing health inequities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the need for multilateral approaches to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The HWG meeting was chaired by the Director-General of the National Department of Health, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, and well-attended by delegates from G20 members, invited countries, and international organisations.
The meeting served as a platform for South Africa to continue discussions on critical global health-related issues. In this regard the meeting included plenary sessions on:
- Strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) as a Pathway towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
- Ensuring Financial Protection for UHC: Safeguarding Access Without Hardship;
- Sustaining Health Financing in a Challenging Global Economy: Strengthening Investments and Advancing UHC
- Bridging the Equity Gap: Accelerating Action on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) for a Healthier, Fairer Future.
Side events were also held on:
- Financial Protection for Health: Tackling Financial Hardships as a Consequence of Paying for Health Care;
- Restricting Marketing of Unhealthy Food to Children;
- Global Elimination of Cervical Cancer; and (iv) Financing essential health services during economic and health emergencies and in alignment with country priorities, co-hosted by the G20 Joint Finance Health Task Force.
Furthermore, site visits were held showcasing South Africa’s care and research facilities.
The outcomes of this technical working group meeting will inform the discussions at the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting and Declaration later in the year.
The Third HWG meeting will be held virtually from 8 to 9 May 2025.
