The Growing Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for a staggering 80% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries, with Africa bearing a disproportionately greater burden with its limited infrastructure and resources.

Key Challenges in Healthcare

Africa’s healthcare systems are under immense strain, grappling with critical workforce shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and policy gaps, while the growing burden of non-communicable diseases exacerbates disparities in a rapidly expanding population.

Healthcare Infrastructure in Crisis

Africa’s healthcare infrastructures are in crisis, facing significant challenges in leadership and governance, workforce shortage, and service delivery, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities that hinder effective care.

Data: 2023 WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List

Critical Shortages in the Health Workforce

Africa faces a severe shortage of health workers, with a significant number of countries falling below the global threshold for adequate healthcare staffing, exacerbating the region’s healthcare challenges.

Data: 2023 WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List
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Countries with fewer than 49 health workers per 10,000 people
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of these, located in Africa

The Global Health Workforce Crisis

The global shortage of doctors, nurses, and midwives is projected to escalate dramatically over the coming decades, underscoring an urgent need for investment in healthcare workforce development worldwide.

Data: 2023 WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List

Africa’s Complex Health Crisis

Africa’s healthcare systems face a multifaceted crisis, driven by a critical shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate facilities, fragile infrastructure, and a rapidly growing population that exacerbates these disparities.

A Multifaceted Health Crisis
Challenges contributing to the strain on Africa’s healthcare systems

Policy and Capacity Gaps

Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lack national NCD policies, with low prioritization by governments and partners.

Weak healthcare capacity risks rising NCDs, threatening younger populations and worsening health burdens.

Many LMICs lack national NCD prevention policies
Low government and partner interest worsens the problem
Weak healthcare capacity raises NCD risks for all ages

The Path Forward

Africa's NCD crisis demands urgent action -but proven solutions exist. By uniting healthcare leadership, policy innovation, and global expertise, RUFIJI is bridging these critical gaps to build sustainable health systems for Africa's future. The time to act is now.