The Future of Healthcare in Africa.

• Author: Novak, Karina

INTRODUCTION

Africa is the second largest continent in the world and also has the second largest population. There is a lot of potential associated with this continent in terms of economic growth and its rapidly growing population. The real GDP growth of Sub-Saharan Africa has fluctuated during the last decade: 3.84% in 2009, 7.11% in 2010, 1.35% in 2016, and then recently to a projected growth of 3.71% in 2019 (IMF, 2019). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this economic growth has led to a new view of Africa (WHO, 2014). Despite this increasing prosperity, Sub-Saharan Africa has been experiencing numerous challenges related to the health status of its people and the healthcare system. Unfortunately, Africa carries twenty-three percent of the global disease burden, yet accounts for only one percent of the world healthcare expenditures (Ogbuoji et al., 2019). This statistic illustrates the challenge of African healthcare. Many countries experience the double burden of communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, in addition to non-communicable diseases like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Changes need to be made to deliver better healthcare to African countries. In the same vein, enabling healthy well-being for citizens must become both a political and investment priority. When people are healthy and employed, they can create more economic gains, because they are contributing to society. Well and fit individuals are more productive. Similarly, healthy educated children can become knowledgeable, productive adults who would pass on their vital habits to future generations.

Sub-Saharan Africa (also called the African Region), is one of the six regions of the world identified by the World Health Organization. There has been some progress and success with regards to improvements in health outcomes over the past decade. There have been decreases in adult mortality rates and life expectancy has been increasing (although it is still far behind the rest of the world) as a result of reductions in extreme poverty and hunger. In addition, there has been an overall downward trend in infectious diseases (Agyepong et al., 2017). According to the 2014 WHO African Regional Health Report, increasing investments in the health sector would translate into billions of dollars in increases in income which could ultimately improve the social infrastructure and living conditions in many African countries. The report states that "for every 10% increase in life expectancy at birth there is a corresponding rise in economic growth of 0.4% per year" (WHO, 2014). However, Africa still experiences an abundance of challenges, because the rate of such improvements is not yet sufficient.

FACTORS THAT PLAY A ROLE IN AFRICAN HEALTHCARE

Agyepong et al. (2017) suggests that several factors contribute to the healthcare of the African population, some positively, and others negatively.

Economic Growth

Economic growth is very important for Africa, especially to increase government spending in the health sector. This will help strengthen national health systems and ultimately has the potential to save millions of lives since more treatments can be effected, along with faster diagnoses, and better education to prevent diseases.

Demographics and Urbanization

Demographics is another factor which has the capability to positively impact the continent. The co-author of the Lancet Commission Report, Alex Ezeh, states that "Africa's young people will be key to bringing about the changes needed to accelerate efforts to improve health across Sub-Saharan Africa". The African Region has the largest cohort of young people who could contribute to the labor force, thus increasing the demographic dividend which then could support more health investments. However, the rapid upsurge of urbanization in the African Region, most of which has been unplanned, has resulted in worsening air pollution, poor sanitation, inadequate water supply, and increases in slum dwellers. For example, hepatitis is a viral disease that can spread by food, water, or blood component contamination. If people reside in crowded unsanitary areas, the prevalence of this disease could grow exponentially. Similarly, air pollution can contribute to respiratory disorders by irritating the lungs such as evident in asthma, COPD, or emphysema (CDC, 2019) These issues raise the risk of illness and poor health, which is why solutions are needed to unite city policies with health initiatives.

Climate Change

Climate change is also an important factor to take into consideration and monitor since it has both direct and indirect effects. Direct effects include issues with food preservation methods, health complications, and even death due to high temperatures. Indirect effects include food and water insecurity due to extreme weather especially in fragile nations (i.e. dehydrated soil insufficient for crop growth).

Technology

Finally, information and communication technology can encourage a more positive and healthy lifestyle. An increase in mobile phone subscriptions and internet connections allow the people of Africa to use their digital devices to make healthy behavior choices and possibly combat the threat of non-communicable diseases. For example, individuals can have access to the internet to self-educate on the spread of illness, and recognize early disease symptoms. In addition, the rise of telehealth around the world is a pivotal online healthcare invention that would bring many benefits for people of the African Region (Vockley, 2015). Overall, Sub-Saharan Africa has a lot of opportunities and challenges that, if taken into serious consideration, could provide the continent with a new healthy reality

COMMUNICABLE AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Africa faces many challenges from the threat of communicable diseases. According...