Health care in Africa could fail soon because of more long-term health problems, says a top leader. Aid money from other lands has mostly gone to catching sicknesses. This left cancer and sugar health problems to grow worse.
The number of deaths from heart problems, blood pressure, and sugar health problems went up to 37% in 2019. Before that, these health problems caused only 24% of deaths in 2000. These problems will cause most deaths by 2030 if things stay the same.
Dr. Githinji Gitahi from Amref Health Africa says rich nations give aid for health issues that might reach their people. They care less about problems that stay inside Africa. Leaders in Africa must step up to fix these growing health problems.
Half of all people in Africa's hospitals have these long-term problems. But 8 out of 10 sick people must pay for care with their money. The nations lack the cash to help these sick people right away, so big companies sell unhealthy things to make money.
Most help money goes to sickness that spreads between people. Less than 3 cents of each dollar helps with cancer or heart disease care. The US has stopped much of its help money for a time. This has hurt many health programs.
Amref does about $250 million of health work each year. Around $50 million comes from the US for moms, babies, and improving health systems. When the money stopped flowing, some staff had to stop working without pay.
Dr. Gitahi wants the US to keep helping after they check their plans. He says help from rich lands is not free giving. When health care works well worldwide, it helps both sides. Bad health anywhere can cause problems everywhere.
Africa needs taxes on bad things like smoking, drinks, and sugar. The money can pay for health care. Africa must make laws that stop ads for unhealthy food near kids. These ideas can fix problems before people need doctors later on.
The number of deaths from heart problems, blood pressure, and sugar health problems went up to 37% in 2019. Before that, these health problems caused only 24% of deaths in 2000. These problems will cause most deaths by 2030 if things stay the same.
Dr. Githinji Gitahi from Amref Health Africa says rich nations give aid for health issues that might reach their people. They care less about problems that stay inside Africa. Leaders in Africa must step up to fix these growing health problems.
Half of all people in Africa's hospitals have these long-term problems. But 8 out of 10 sick people must pay for care with their money. The nations lack the cash to help these sick people right away, so big companies sell unhealthy things to make money.
Most help money goes to sickness that spreads between people. Less than 3 cents of each dollar helps with cancer or heart disease care. The US has stopped much of its help money for a time. This has hurt many health programs.
Amref does about $250 million of health work each year. Around $50 million comes from the US for moms, babies, and improving health systems. When the money stopped flowing, some staff had to stop working without pay.
Dr. Gitahi wants the US to keep helping after they check their plans. He says help from rich lands is not free giving. When health care works well worldwide, it helps both sides. Bad health anywhere can cause problems everywhere.
Africa needs taxes on bad things like smoking, drinks, and sugar. The money can pay for health care. Africa must make laws that stop ads for unhealthy food near kids. These ideas can fix problems before people need doctors later on.
