African countries are being urged to take urgent steps to fix healthcare funding gaps and invest in local drug production, as health experts warn that millions of people are still paying too much for basic medical care.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says weaknesses in health financing systems are forcing families to rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments, making healthcare unaffordable for many.
Speaking during a regional media briefing, Deputy Incident Manager at Africa CDC, Yap Boum, revealed that financial leakages remain a major concern. He cited the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an estimated 800 million dollars is lost every year due to ghost workers on government payrolls.
He explained that adopting digital payroll systems could help recover lost funds and redirect them to improve healthcare delivery. According to Africa CDC, direct household spending accounts for between 30 and 40 percent of total health expenditure in many African countries, exposing families to serious financial hardship.
The agency is now calling for stronger national health insurance schemes, improved financial accountability, and the use of digital systems to reduce waste and expand access to care. Beyond financing reforms, Africa CDC is also pushing for increased local production of medicines and vaccines to reduce dependence on imports.
Through programmes such as the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, more locally produced medical supplies are expected to enter the market within the next few years, helping to lower costs.
The continent has also set a target to produce 60 percent of its vaccines locally by 2040, a move aimed at strengthening Africa’s ability to respond to future health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of relying heavily on imported vaccines and medical supplies, with many African countries facing shortages at the height of the crisis.
To address this, Africa CDC is encouraging joint procurement among African countries to support local manufacturers and reduce costs. However, officials say achieving these goals will require significant investment, stronger infrastructure, and continued government commitment.
Africa CDC says these reforms are critical to building a more affordable, reliable, and self-sufficient healthcare system across the continent.
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