Building resilient health systems the way forward for Africa’s ailing health sector

The halt in operations following the executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to shut down the USAID Agency has sent shockwaves across various African markets. The impact of this decision on Rwanda's health sector, which has been a recipient of substantial investments, is significant. CNBC Africa engaged in a conversation with Joanna Bichsel and Dr. Loko Abraham to delve into the repercussions of this move and explore the pathways forward for the country's healthcare system. The health landscape in Africa heavily relies on donor funding, with the U.S. government and USAID being prominent contributors. The abrupt stop work order has left a void in critical areas like HIV services, resulting in reports of stalled product deliveries and reduced clinic capacities. However, amidst the challenges, there are resilient health systems that continue to function sustainably, emphasizing the value of private sector-led initiatives and public-private partnerships in ensuring health access. Dr. Abraham highlighted Rwanda's efforts in building robust systems to withstand such shocks, emphasizing the need to shift towards self-sufficiency and sustainability beyond donor support. The country's strategic procurement and distribution mechanisms have so far averted major disruptions in the supply chain, highlighting the importance of preparedness in the face of funding uncertainties. The conversation also touched upon the opportunities that crises present for Africa to reduce its dependence on donor models and prioritize locally-driven solutions. Bichsel underscored the importance of leveraging existing sustainable initiatives like KASHA, a Rwandan-born health product delivery platform, as models for scaling across the continent. The emphasis on public-private partnerships and the potential for enhancing efficiency within supply chains through such collaborations emerged as key strategies to offset diminishing external funding. Dr. Abraham stressed the imperative for African governments to focus on domestic resource mobilization for healthcare financing, with Rwanda leading the charge in advocating for increased allocation of GDP to health investments. As the discussion drew to a close, the future of healthcare in Africa was envisioned as being technology-driven, with a convergence of private sector innovation and public sector support essential for ensuring universal health access. The transformational potential of technology in optimizing healthcare delivery and the ongoing evolution in the health tech space were cited as drivers reshaping the health landscape in Africa, with a strong call to action for continued collaborative efforts to advance healthcare accessibility across the continent.