African countries urged to invest in healthcare and reduce dependence on foreign aid

By The Inspirer.

African countries have been urged to do everything possible to increase their budget allocations for the health sector to avoid relying solely on foreign aid.

This was emphasized during an international conference on the development of Africa’s healthcare sector held in Kigali.

Participants in the conference highlighted that one of the major challenges hindering the growth of the healthcare sector on the continent is the heavy dependence on foreign aid, as pointed out by Dr. Samukeliso Dube, the Executive Director of the FP2030 family planning initiative.

She stated, “Many African countries have placed their citizens’ healthcare in the hands of donors, assuming that these funds will sustain the sector in the long term. While aid can help tackle epidemics, infectious diseases, family planning, reproductive health, vaccinations, and other health-related issues, we must explore alternative ways to mobilize our own financial resources for the healthcare sector as Africans.”

She emphasized that if African countries united and invested in strengthening healthcare systems, they could achieve long-term solutions.

“This should remind us that we are stronger than we think, and by working together, we can accomplish a lot,” she said.

She also questioned why Africans travel to countries like India for medical treatment when their own healthcare sector could be developed to provide high-quality services on the continent.

She pointed out that, given the global trends, powerful nations seem more focused on funding wars, making it imperative for African countries to find their own solutions.

Dr. Emilia Connolly, an official from the Ministry of Health in Malawi, noted that her country was severely impacted by the suspension of USAID funding, as the government used to allocate about 24% of the health budget, while 50% came from donors.

She stated that after experiencing the consequences of reduced foreign aid, Malawi started looking for ways to become self-reliant.

She highlighted several strategies, including government investment in modern hospitals for healthcare-related business ventures and encouraging private sector investments in the healthcare industry to drive its growth.

Dr. Mike Mulongo pointed out that Africa’s development challenges stem from frequent conflicts, poor governance, corruption, and dependence on foreign aid for healthcare infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Iyakaremye Zachée, emphasized that African countries must strengthen their healthcare systems and seek homegrown solutions rather than relying on external support.

He noted that while Rwanda prioritizes self-reliance in healthcare, there is a need for other African nations to work together in achieving this goal.