The Challenge of Fighting Disease in Africa by 2023: Are We on Track?
Africa’s disease burden remains a significant challenge despite the progress made in recent years. The continent bears 24% of the global disease burden but has only 3% of the world’s health workers and 1% of the global health expenditure. With the deadline for meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) quickly approaching, it’s time to assess whether we are on track to fight diseases in Africa by 2023.
The Progress So Far
Over the past decade, Africa has made great strides in fighting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. As a result, the mortality rate for these diseases has significantly reduced. However, other diseases such as Ebola, cholera, and meningitis continue to pose a significant threat to the continent’s population.
One of the biggest achievements has been the roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), over 60% of people living with HIV in Africa now have access to ART. This has led to a significant reduction in new HIV infections and lowered the mortality rate from AIDS-related illnesses.
Similarly, malaria prevention and treatment have improved through the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying. These interventions have led to a decline in malaria cases and deaths. In some regions, there has been an 80% reduction in malaria deaths since 2000.
Efforts to eradicate polio in Africa have also been successful. The last case of wild polio was reported in Nigeria in 2016, and the continent is now closer than ever to achieving polio eradication.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress made, there are still significant challenges in fighting diseases in Africa by 2023. One of the most significant challenges is the inadequate funding for healthcare. As the population grows, so does the need for healthcare services. However, funding has not increased proportionally, resulting in a significant gap in health financing. This gap is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has diverted resources away from other diseases.
Another challenge is the limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. This limits the reach of interventions such as immunization and disease treatment. Additionally, there is a limited number of trained healthcare workers, making it difficult to deliver quality healthcare services. An estimated 83% of countries in sub-Saharan Africa fail to meet the minimum threshold of 23 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 people.
The third challenge is the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, including inadequate diagnostic facilities and laboratory services. This hinders early detection and treatment of diseases, resulting in lost lives and more significant healthcare costs in the long run.
Conclusion
While Africa has made progress in fighting diseases, much remains to be done to meet the SDGs by 2023. The challenges such as inadequate funding, limited access to healthcare services, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure must be urgently addressed. However, by remaining committed to our goals and working together, we can achieve a healthy Africa and a healthier world.
