Focus on Africa's healthcare

Sustainable health financing has long been recognized as a critical component of achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. Recent years have seen the implementation of various health reforms, including initiatives to improve health financing, expand health insurance coverage, and restructure results-based financing. CNBC Africa recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Delanyo Dovlo, the Director of the Health Systems Strengthening Cluster at the World Health Organization, to gain insights into the progress and challenges in the healthcare sector in Africa. Dr. Dovlo highlighted the importance of engaging a diverse range of stakeholders in discussions around achieving universal health coverage in the region. He emphasized the need to involve not just healthcare professionals, but also civil society, the private sector, communities, students, academia, and other key players who contribute to the overall health and well-being of individuals in society. The conversation shed light on the role of the private sector in improving access to quality healthcare services. Dr. Dovlo pointed out that private sector investments in medical schools and healthcare facilities play a crucial role in increasing the number of healthcare professionals and enhancing the quality of healthcare services. He stressed the importance of not only producing more doctors but also ensuring that they are well-trained and equipped to meet the healthcare needs of diverse communities. The issue of brain drain in Africa's healthcare sector was also addressed during the interview. Dr. Dovlo acknowledged that low salaries and limited professional development opportunities often drive healthcare professionals to seek better prospects abroad. To mitigate the brain drain, he suggested building incentive systems that encourage professionals to stay and contribute to their home countries' healthcare systems. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of developing alternative healthcare roles, such as medical officers, surgical technicians, and clinical officers, to alleviate the pressure on doctors and ensure efficient healthcare delivery. One of the significant developments in Africa's healthcare landscape is the establishment of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Dr. Dovlo highlighted the vital role of the Africa CDC in consolidating disease information, enhancing outbreak preparedness, and facilitating regional disease diagnosis and response. He noted the collaborative efforts between the World Health Organization and the Africa CDC in building a network of high-quality laboratories across the region to strengthen disease surveillance and response capabilities. Dr. Dovlo emphasized the importance of focusing not only on infectious diseases but also on addressing non-communicable diseases like hypertension to promote a healthy future for the continent. Overall, the interview underscored the need for continued collaboration, investment, and innovation in healthcare financing and delivery to achieve sustainable health outcomes and universal health coverage in Africa.