This paper discusses regional health diplomacy (RHD) conducted by IGAD, member states, partners, and civil society state and non-state actors in the region. Using the liberal-constructivist approach of the international relations theory, the paper highlights the multilayered negotiations and engagements involved in health diplomacy. The paper draws from the experiences of IGAD and partners in the implementation of policies, strategies, and plans of action on SRSR, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Covid-19 as common areas of understanding, action, and interaction among stakeholders. The data is drawn from secondary and primary sources. The secondary data emanates from the review of published and unpublished documents of IGAD and other agencies available on the Internet; whereas the primary information was gathered from formal and informal conversations with the staff of the Division of Health and Social Development of IGAD, participant observations as the researcher was involved in the formulation and implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of most of the policies and strategies in the regional health sector under consideration. The analysis is largely descriptive. The study concludes that a volume of work has been done through the leadership of IGAD in partnership with regional and international organizations who are convinced that working with or through IGAD will help them achieve their individual or collective goals as well.

Keywords: Health diplomacy, IGAD, SRHR, HIV/AIDS, Covid, Sustainable Development