Background

The 12th Ordinary Session of the EAC Council of Ministers (2006) approved the annual East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair (EAHSC) to be convened in East Africa and hosted on a rotational basis by the EAC Partner States through their respective National Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs, Ministries responsible for Health, and other relevant organizations, and in close collaboration with regional and international health-related NGOs, civil society organizations, individuals, and stakeholders.

The EAHSC contributes towards strengthening regional cooperation in health in line with Article 118 of the Treaty for the establishment of EAC as well as other relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol. It enhances the ideals of the EAC, which is free movement of People, Services, and Goods.

The EAHSC is an event for researchers to present and discuss their work and provides an important channel for exchange of information between researchers. The EAHSC is organized in parallel sessions of short (about 10 minutes), and concise oral presentations organized by sub-themes, followed by discussions (5 minutes). Prior to oral presentation sessions, keynote speeches by Scholars are organized on various topics related to the main theme of the Conference. A keynote speech is often longer, lasting sometimes up to an hour and a half, particularly if there are several keynote speakers on a panel. In addition to the oral presentations, there are also poster presentations, round tables, and symposia on various issues. In the premises of the Conference Hall and during the whole conference period of three (3) days, international health exhibition is organized on various health products and technologies made in the EAC Partner States to promote them.

Based on the Protocol establishing the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC), the Commission is tasked with the  responsibility of coordinating the East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair.