World Health Organisation Urges African Leaders to Invest in Resilient Health Systems

Strategic Insights -

African leaders have been urged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, to shift their focus from aid dependency to investing in resilient, country-owned health systems. The call was made during the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, Ghana, where Ghebreyesus commended President John Mahama for his leadership in championing reforms to increase domestic health financing. The continent is facing a health financing crisis, with aid projected to decline by up to 40% this year, threatening the availability of life-saving medicines, healthcare jobs, and clinics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged African leaders to shift their focus from aid dependency to investing in resilient, country-owned health systems.
  • Aid to Africa is projected to decline by up to 40% this year, threatening the availability of life-saving medicines, healthcare jobs, and clinics.
  • The WHO is supporting governments with tools such as health taxes, pooled procurement, domestic manufacturing investment, and digital public health financial systems to address inefficiencies in health budgets.
  • In 2023, Africa received $74 billion in aid but lost $90 billion to illicit financial flows and $55 billion through corporate tax exemptions.
  • Health taxes could generate $3.7 trillion globally in five years and save millions of lives.
  • The WHO is pushing for a more democratic, equitable health architecture, referencing the recent landmark resolution at the World Health Assembly led by Nigeria and co-sponsored by over 25 countries, including Ghana.
  • The Accra Health Sovereignty Summit aims to develop actionable strategies to deliver on the Lusaka Agenda and establish a new global health order anchored in African leadership, accountability, and sustainability.

Statistics:

  • Aid to Africa is projected to decline by up to 40% this year.
  • Africa received $74 billion in aid in 2023.
  • Africa lost $90 billion to illicit financial flows in 2023.
  • Africa lost $55 billion through corporate tax exemptions in 2023.
  • Health taxes could generate $3.7 trillion globally in five years.

Sources:

  • The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, quoted in [various news outlets]
  • The Accra Health Sovereignty Summit
  • The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
  • The World Health Assembly (Mentions the recent landmark resolution led by Nigeria and co-sponsored by over 25 countries, including Ghana)