- A recent WHO report,” Tracking Universal Health coverage in the WHO Africa Region 2022”, has disclosed that the life expectancy in Africa particularly in the high and upper-middle-income countries is on the rise by almost 10 years.
A recent WHO report,” Tracking Universal Health coverage in the WHO Africa Region 2022”, has disclosed that the life expectancy in Africa particularly in the high and upper-middle-income countries is on the rise by almost 10 years.
The life expectancy on the continent, it said has increased to 56 years, compared with 46 at the turn of the century. WHO drew the conclusion after examining life expectancy data of the 47 countries that make up the WHO African Region from 2000 to 2019.
The increase recorded in the life expectancy in Africa has surpassed all other regions of the world during the same period according to the WHO statement. It explained that globally, the life expectancy during the review period grew by five years only. Still, Africa’s life expectancy is far below the global average of 64, over the same period.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa complimented the continent’s health ministries for their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the populations. Africa’s access to essential health services improved from 24 per cent in 2000 to 46 per cent in 2019. Progress was recorded in the maternal, newborn and child health areas also. WHO observed that Africa made considerable progress in its fight against diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria which also contributed to longer life expectancy. However, WHO cautioned that hypertension, diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases have risen that may negatively impact the gains. The UN agency strongly recommended governments to step up public health financing to ward off health challenges like COVID 19.
Also read;
https://trendsnafrica.com/post-pandemic-economic-recovery-of-african-countries-gain-momentum/
