A healthy mind in a healthy body, so the adage goes. It is the thump rule for nations also. Only healthy people can build healthy economies . African leaders speak eloquently about the continent’s economic prospects glorifying the region’s young and growing population, the booming middle class and the notional market it presents driving the dreams of investors. However, how healthy is the continent?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Africa bears one-quarter of the global disease burden but has two percent of the world’s doctors. It also estimates that the burden will lead to an economic loss of US$ 2.4 trillion, if the continent fails to achieve universal healthcare by 2030. Five countries- the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania – account for almost 50% of the disease burden. The incidence of diseases, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, is alarming.
HIV/AIDS epidemic has been the greatest threat to Africa. East and Southern African countries have the largest number HIV patients (19.6 million in 2017.) This has drained out decades of progress in life expectancy. In Lesotho, for instance, life expectancy which was 60 years in 1995 dropped to around 50 years in 2017 mainly due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Though number of deaths of AIDS-related diseases has fallen significantly in the last decade, the high cost of treating HIV/AIDS, and the indirect costs due to loss of labour productivity, had adverse impact on African economies. Generous intervention of international Donors in tackling HIV allowed African governments to take a back seat with scant ownership, and donors determining the course of action. In short a clear and comprehensive action plan and investment strategy to tackle the HIV issue is still absent from the African side.
In addition to HIV/AIDS, Africa has the highest death rate due to tuberculosis due to the wide prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR) as well as drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis. In addition, there is a sharp increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart and lung diseases. The World Health Organization reports that NCDs will grow by 27 percent in the region over the next 10 years, leading to 28 million additional deaths. Diarrhoea and respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and malnutrition, are the leading causes of death among African children. According to reports, African women are approximately 175 times more likely to die during childbirth and pregnancy than women in industrialized countries.
Lack of Reliable data which is critical to develop an effective strategy is a major impediment for Africa affecting an accurate assessment of the magnitude of health problems, access to health services particularly in rural areas, allocation of resources and monitoring of different projects. Access to diagnosis, prohibitive cost of treatment, weak regulation, poor research and development, manning and maintenance of critical equipments etc are some of the other challenges.
For too long, Africa has been a photo-op for poverty and disease. To correct the image and improve people’s health, Africa needs to migrate from a curative approach to preventive or wellness system. For health care systems to be effective, Africa needs to redirect resources from curative care in urban settings with high tech equipment to primary and preventive health care. Health promotion, disease prevention, and improved education for all ages are also essential for Africa to become healthy. Poor healthcare infrastructure in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors coupled with acute scarcity of doctors and para medicos are some of the real time problems the continent is facing now. Technology should be leveraged to reach out to people in the far-flung areas through concepts like telemedicine and supply medicines to inaccessible terrains through drones. Countries like Rwanda, Ghana etc have set examples by deploying technology and encouraging active participation of the private sector
.According to global population trends, Africa is set to have the largest youth population. By 2050, the median age for Africa is estimated to be 25 years, compared to 36 for the rest of the world. The role of Africa’s youth in deciding the continent’s progress is crucial.To reap the demographic dividend, Africa has to strengthen the health of its people. A comprehensive health care policy embedded in a culture of ethical responsibility, will surely transform Africa’s health sector which in turn will lead to economic prosperity.After all, health is wealth!
