Dr. Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, warns that Africa’s health system could collapse in the coming years due to a surge in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He stated that foreign aid is traditionally focused on infectious diseases, leaving NCDs like diabetes, cancer, and hypertension to increase unchecked. Consequently, NCDs now claim a larger share of lives than ever before, accounting for 13% more deaths in 2019 than in 2000. Gitahi warns that, if left unchecked, the situation could lead to the collapse of the African health system in the next few years. He called for urgent action from African governments to tackle this problem and avert the looming humanitarian crisis.
Source: The Guardian
