Health crisis: It’s more expensive to die in Africa than to live – Kukah

Health Crisis - “It’s More Expensive to Die in Africa than to Live”

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has sounded a stark warning about Africa’s worsening health crisis, declaring that the cost of dying on the continent now outweighs the cost of living. 

Kukah's remarks, delivered at the African Faith and Health Leaders Consultation in Nairobi, have ignited urgent calls for African-led solutions to the systemic failures in healthcare.

At the consultation, which brought together bishops, archbishops, pastors, and civil society leaders from ten sub-Saharan nations, Kukah emphasized that Africa can no longer rely on foreign aid or divine intervention to address its health challenges. He argued that the continent’s dependence on external donors has created a cycle of helplessness, where governments shirk responsibility and citizens are left vulnerable. “We must hold the feet of our politicians to the fire. Africa cannot continue to blame the victim or hide under a theology of helplessness. God cannot be the default solution because our health systems have failed our people,” Kukah declared.

The gathering, organized by Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH), the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), and the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), focused on equitable health financing and sustainable models of care for underserved communities. 

Leaders discussed how to strengthen healthcare systems, reduce reliance on foreign aid, and ensure that resources are directed toward building resilient infrastructures that can withstand future crises.

Kukah’s statement that “it’s more expensive to die in Africa than to live” reflects the harsh reality faced by many families. 

The cost of funerals, medical bills, and end-of-life care often plunges households into poverty, exposing the inadequacy of health insurance and social safety nets across the continent. His words underscore the paradox of a region where basic healthcare remains inaccessible to millions, yet the financial burden of illness and death devastates communities economically and socially.

Underlying this crisis is a looming workforce shortage. The World Health Organization projects that Africa will face a deficit of 6.1 million health workers by 2030, a gap that threatens to cripple already fragile systems. Without urgent reforms, the continent risks deepening inequalities in access to care, leaving rural and marginalized populations further behind.

Kukah’s intervention is not merely rhetorical; it is a call to action. He insists that African governments, faith leaders, and civil society must take ownership of the crisis, demanding accountability from politicians and investing in homegrown solutions. His message challenges the narrative of helplessness and insists that Africa must build sustainable health systems that prioritize dignity in both life and death.

Bishop Kukah’s warning is a sobering reminder of the intersection between health, economics, and governance in Africa. 

The statement that dying has become more expensive than living is both symbolic and literal, capturing the desperation of families and the urgency of reform. 

Unless African leaders heed this call, the continent risks perpetuating a cycle where illness and death are not only tragedies but also financial catastrophes.