This year’s abrupt cuts in foreign aid have exposed vulnerable health systems across Africa, disrupting lifesaving care for millions of people. The collapse in official development assistance has damaged myriad programs — from HIV treatment to maternal care — but the seismic shifts are also a unique opportunity to develop more sustainable financing systems that move away from dependence.
To meet this moment, African governments must prioritize smart domestic resource mobilization, while investors — both local and global — should recognize the untapped potential of Africa’s health care sector.
The case for change is overwhelming. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, and the continent is projected to make up a quarter of humanity by 2050. Yet people living in Africa, who face the bulk of the global disease burden, are typically last in line to receive essential health care. Lack of access to medicine is not only costing lives; it is also undermining development, since a healthy population is a prerequisite for economic growth.
About the author
Jayasree K. IyerJayasreeKIyer
Jayasree K. Iyer is the CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, where she leads the foundation’s strategy to assess health care companies’ efforts in expanding access to essential medicines. She engages global industry leaders on practical steps to develop, scale, and supply health products to low- and middle-income countries, home to 80% of the world’s population.
