Organon pushes for sustainable investment in women’s health across Africa

By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])

Organon, a global healthcare company, has urged African governments to prioritise sustainable health financing as part of efforts to strengthen reproductive health systems and reduce the continent’s burden of unintended pregnancies.

Speaking on sidelines of the World Health Expo (WHX) Leaders Africa 2025 in Accra-Ghana, Mokgadi Mashishi, Organon’s Country Lead for Africa Access Markets, warned that Africa’s heavy reliance on donor funding leaves governments with limited decision-making power over their health priorities.

In some countries, she explained, donor contributions account for up to 90 percent of reproductive health funding.

Sustainable financing, she noted, is crucial to ensure long-term progress in maternal health, contraception and family planning.

“We are leading the discussion around sustainable financing. Health should never be seen as an expense – health is an investment,” she said.

Her remarks come at a time when shifts in the global aid environment have left several African health interventions – particularly in family planning – exposed to funding shortfalls. Although a few countries have moved toward 50 percent domestic financing, she said the pace remains slow and inconsistent.

Ms. Mashishi described investment in family planning as a “best buy” for national development, with benefits that span health, education, economic growth and gender equity. Effective family planning, she added, allows women to live healthier lives, enables girls to stay in school and contributes to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A youthful population, she warned, makes access to reproductive health even more urgent.

“Over 70 percent of our population is young. If we do not ensure equitable access to health – starting with family planning – we will not achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063,” she said.

She called for stronger, more integrated health systems that address broader women’s health gaps – including limited awareness around menopause, late detection of cancers and the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases among women.

“It’s not enough to provide the contraceptive. Communities need information in a way that makes sense to them. Health professionals must provide respectful care. Policies must be implemented, supply chains should reach the point of care and religious and traditional leaders must be engaged. Parents also play a role in shaping attitudes toward reproductive health,” she emphasised.

Private sector crucial

Ms. Mashishi highlighted the of private sector’s essential role, saying: “Health is not just the priority of the health industry. It is the priority of every single industry, because without health there cannot be productivity”.

She underscored the need for intentional investment, political will and multisectoral engagement, stressing that women’s health cannot advance without coordinated action among policymakers, communities and families.

“We must be intentional, action-oriented and ensure that patients are part of shaping how health care is delivered. This is how equitable, effective and sustainable health systems are built,” she said.

Digital health solutions, she noted, are also key to expanding access, particularly for young people and women in remote areas. Organon has committed to supporting data-driven and technology-enabled health interventions across the continent.

Organon at WHX

Organon’s participation at WHX formed part of its broader push to position women’s health and family planning at the centre of health system reforms across the continent. Through its panel engagements and side sessions, the company highlighted the link between access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), improved health outcomes and stronger national development.

At the side session, multisectoral stakeholders discussed ways to embed family planning and SRHR into Universal Health Coverage strategies, unlock long-term investment for women’s health through innovative and blended financing models, strengthen affordability and access through government-private sector-community partnerships and reduce maternal mortality and unintended pregnancies by prioritising family planning.

 

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