Top 5 African countries with the best healthcare systems in mid-2024

Why do we even need healthcare? No matter who we are or where we come from, we all fall ill at some point or another. It is an inescapable part of the human experience.

When sickness strikes, a good healthcare system is one of the few things that can help us get back on our feet. The need for healthcare is universal, but in Africa, the need for robust healthcare systems is especially critical due to unique challenges and frequent public health crises.

At its core, healthcare is about ensuring that people can lead healthy, productive lives. It’s about providing timely and effective treatment for illnesses and preventing diseases through vaccinations and public health campaigns.

Getting good healthcare is a basic right and a key part of overall well-being in society. But while some countries have made commendable strides in healthcare delivery, others are faced with limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and workforce shortages.

In rural areas for instance, access to healthcare can be particularly challenging, with people having to travel long distances to reach the nearest health facility. In urban centres, while hospitals and clinics are more plentiful, they often face overwhelming demand.

This inequality in healthcare access often leads to disparities in health outcomes among different populations. A recent health index by Numbeo has identified the countries with the highest health index in Africa mid 2024.

The Health Care Index rates how good a healthcare system is. It looks at indices like healthcare professionals, equipment, staff, doctors, and costs. It gives you an idea of how well-equipped and resourced the healthcare is in a particular place.

According to the report, South Africa boasts the best healthcare system on the continent with an index of 63.8. Kenya follows closely with an index of 61.5.