Majority of the citizenry within the African continent want their governments to prioritize more investments in the health sector that is often underfunded.
They say the move will help the continent – whose economy was severely battered by the outbreak of CoVID-19 four years ago – to properly prepare for future pandemics.
“Almost six in 10 Africans (58%) “agree” or “strongly agree” that their government should invest more in preparations for future health emergencies like COVID-19, even if it means fewer resources are available for other health services,” says the latest Afro Barometer round 9 surveys that were conducted in 2021/2023 covering 39 countries.
“Only half (51%) of Africans believe that their government is “somewhat” or “very” prepared for a future public health emergency like COVID-19.”
According to the survey, Tanzania was ranked the best in terms of government preparedness in dealing with future health emergencies at 76% followed by Benin (75%), Mali and Zambia (74%), Togo (72%), Guinea (70%), Mauritania (69%) and Niger (67%).
Other countries include Sierra Leone and Ethiopia (65%), Uganda and Morocco (61%), Mozambique (60%) and Burkina Faso and Senegal at 59%.
Kenya was ranked a distant 23 at 50% in terms of its preparedness in dealing with future health emergencies followed by Nigeria (47%), Botswana and Angola (46%) and South Africa (43%).
Gabon is the least country prepared to nip future health emergencies in the bud at 15% according to the survey.
The survey further reveals that having witnessed firsthand the widespread disruptions occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Africans now consider health as the second-most important problem requiring urgent government intervention.
This coming at a time the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a global public health emergency of international concern.
In a bid to combat the viral disease whose cases have been reported mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several African countries, WHO has amplified calls for coordinated international approach.
The survey lists unemployment as the most important problem that Africans want their governments to address at 33%, health and management of the economy (29%), water supply and infrastructure/roads (22%) and education and crime/security (20%).
Wages, incomes and salaries were listed as the least important problems that need government intervention at 6%.
Afrobarometer is a pan-African survey research network that provides surveys issues to do with democracy, governance and quality of life within the continent.
Nine survey rounds in up to 42 countries have been completed since 1999 with round 9 surveys conducted in 2021/2023 covering 39 countries.
