Senegal Launches Historic Overhaul of National Health System with New Public Health Code
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Senegal is embarking on a landmark reform of its healthcare infrastructure, developing a unified Public Health Code for the first time sence gaining independence. This sweeping modernization effort, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, is receiving crucial technical and financial backing from Amref Health Africa – West Africa, operating through the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) program and supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
For over six decades,Senegal’s health sector has operated under a fragmented legal system-a legacy of the colonial era characterized by incomplete and outdated regulations. “The current framework is simply not equipped to address the complexities of modern healthcare,” a senior official stated. By establishing a complete and coherent Code,Senegal aims to resolve this longstanding issue and create a robust regulatory environment for healthcare practices,professions,and innovation.
Laying the Foundation for a Modern Healthcare System
A pivotal preparatory workshop held in Saly from November 7-11, 2025, marked a notable step forward in this process. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders-including legal experts, health professionals, parliamentarians, technicians, and partner organizations-to collaboratively draft the initial legislative framework of the new Code. This work was informed by an extensive documentary review conducted in october, ensuring a thorough and well-researched foundation. According to a company release, this collaborative effort represents “the first stone of a long-awaited text, called to sustainably structure health governance.”
Key Objectives of the New Public Health Code
The forthcoming Code is designed to address critical gaps in Senegal’s healthcare system and prepare it for the challenges of the 21st century. Key objectives include:
- Guaranteeing equitable access to care for all citizens.
- Clarifying the scope of practise for medical and paramedical professions.
- Strengthening health security and risk management protocols.
- Improving the regulation of health products.
- Integrating emerging issues such as digital health, biomedical research, and patients’ rights.
Moreover,the Code will align Senegal’s national health framework with international standards and conventions to which the country is a signatory.
Amref Health africa’s Vital Role in the Reform
Amref Health Africa is playing a central role in supporting the Senegalese government throughout this transformative process. Through the Africa Health Collaborative, the organization is providing essential support for preparatory work, expert committee guidance, and the overall methodological structuring of the project. This commitment reflects a broader dedication to strengthening health systems across Africa and supporting government-led structural reforms.
A turning Point for Senegalese Healthcare
The conclusions reached during the Saly workshop will serve as the foundation for a major national drafting workshop, followed by institutional validation phases. This work is widely considered a turning point for the Senegalese health system. By providing the country with a unified, modern legal framework tailored to the challenges of the 21st century, the future Code will contribute to modernizing health regulation, bolstering the legal protection of citizens, and consolidating the governance of the sector. More than a technical update, it represents a profound change of the national hea
