The prevalent coronavirus outbreak continues to spike, with virtually all 55 African countries recording confirmed cases. These numbers are expected to skyrocket as under-resourced public health systems grapple with containing the pandemic.
As of March 31, the region had 5,431 confirmed cases, with almost a quarter (1,353) in South Africa, followed by 656 in Egypt and 584 in Algeria. The World Health Organisation’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has charged Africa to wake up to the threat and noted how the continent is least equipped on its own to combat the pandemic.
Reports from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and Country Review Reports (CRRs) show how fragile the African health system is in the fight against the pandemic. According to the report, poor governance and corruption can exacerbate an outbreak like the coronavirus and Ebola. In 2014, the devastating Ebola outbreak claimed 3,955 lives in the West African country.
Sierra Leone’s civil war from 1991 to 2002 damaged the quality of health service delivery and the sector became chronically under-funded as a result. Despite government effort in revamping the health care system, CRR said, “health service delivery, particularly to the poor and to rural areas, continues to suffer from limited access due to distance and cost of services, inadequate transport and referral system, inadequate supply of medicines and supplies, limited community participation in sanitation and healthcare and the critical shortage of health professionals.”
The CRR also reported that a shortage of clean water and poor sanitation are the major factors contributing to poor health practices. Meanwhile a 2020 National Public Perception Survey on Corruption listed the Ministry of Health and Sanitation as the most corrupt ministry in the country. The challenges in the health sector “are exacerbated by corruption and the continued theft of medical supplies from government health facilities,” it said.
Reviewing the healthcare system in Lesotho, the Country Review Reports show that primary healthcare is available for free at all government clinics. But access to healthcare nonetheless remains problematic for many. The report which was peer-reviewed in 2010 shows that approximately 38 percent of the population need to travel for over an hour to reach the nearest facility, while for the rural areas it increases to 78 percent of inhabitants.
In spite of these efforts, a survey conducted during the APRM review shows that the general population has not been benefiting from the health services in the country as a result of poor governance, lack of medical personnel, and poverty. The health information system is Lesotho is therefore reported to be weak.
World Bank, including the WHO, in its updated figures show there hasn’t been much improvement in these countries since the APRM reviews were conducted. The spread of a dangerous disease requires rapt attention and a broad response that goes beyond medical provision because health systems in Africa are strained to begin with and have very limited capacity to absorb the pandemic. The overall strategic approach should focus on containment, improving health facilities and preventive measures.
By Ahmed Iyanda.
