Urgent Alert: Africa’s Healthcare System Faces Imminent Collapse, Says Leading Health Expert

Health services in Africa face a serious threat of collapse in the coming years. Chronic diseases are on the rise, and a top health leader is sounding the alarm. Dr. Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, points out that foreign aid has mostly focused on infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, while chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes are left unchecked.

In sub-Saharan Africa, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and heart disease accounted for 37% of deaths in 2019, a sharp increase from 24% in 2000. By 2030, these diseases are expected to become the leading cause of death in the region. Factors contributing to this crisis include unhealthy Western-style diets, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution.

“Aid is not charity,” Gitahi emphasized. He believes that donors prioritize diseases that pose risks to their own countries. He urged African leaders to take more initiative in managing NCDs. He spoke at the Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where over 700 delegates from 89 countries gathered to discuss these pressing issues.

Gitahi highlighted that around 50% of hospital admissions in Africa are due to NCDs, yet 80% of the costs for NCD care are paid out of pocket by individuals. Many governments simply lack the funds to tackle these issues intensively. He attributes this situation to profit-driven multinational corporations and governments that fail to implement necessary regulations.

While foreign aid has traditionally focused on diseases that could threaten donor countries, less than 3% of global health funds are currently channeled towards NCDs. This misallocation of resources leads to greater health crises in Africa. Gitahi stated that cancer and diabetes are non-infectious diseases, and they do not pose the same immediate risk to international communities as infectious diseases do.

He stressed the importance of government action, saying, “NCDs take people out of active social and economic life.” Without adequate funding and resources, these diseases continue to be overlooked. The recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid has only added to the challenges. Amref Health Africa relies heavily on U.S. partnerships, amounting to about $50 million per year for various health initiatives.

While some staff have faced unpaid leave, Gitahi remains hopeful that funding will resume after a review period. He reiterated that aid is not merely a charitable act; it is an investment in global health that ultimately benefits donor countries as well.

To improve the situation, African governments must enhance efficiency, combat corruption, and introduce taxes on unhealthy products like tobacco and sugary drinks. Proceeds should be funneled into health programs. Gitahi advocates for adopting regulations from Western countries that restrict the advertising of unhealthy food to children.

Currently, U.S. funding constitutes about half of all development assistance in Africa, with an estimated $6.5 billion out of $13 billion. African nations, struggling economically, are unlikely to fully replace lost funding. This could lead to a shift in goals for universal health coverage, aiming to protect only the poorest segments of the population rather than everyone.

Ultimately, Gitahi calls for solidarity among nations, stating that weak health systems anywhere pose a risk to global security. Just as a country with an insecure airspace can threaten others, so too can a country with poor health outcomes impact worldwide stability.

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