Cost of Healthcare in Africa Soaring High, with 384m Pushed into Poverty, Says WHO

Cost of Healthcare in Africa Soaring High, with 384 Million Pushed into Poverty, Says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a stark warning about the escalating cost of healthcare across Africa, revealing that millions are being driven into poverty due to out-of-pocket medical expenses.

According to the latest Universal Health Coverage (UHC) report, more than 423 million people in Africa faced financial hardship in 2022 because of healthcare costs, with over 384 million pushed into or deeper into poverty.

This alarming figure highlights the severe burden that healthcare financing places on households across the continent.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, emphasized that healthcare remains unaffordable for many, with out-of-pocket payments dominating health financing in most African countries. I

n 31 member states, these payments account for more than a quarter of all health expenditure; in 11 countries, they exceed half; and in two countries, they surpass 70 percent. This situation forces families into impossible choices—between paying for medical care or covering basic needs such as food, school fees, and housing.

The report underscores that women, children, older persons, and rural households bear the greatest burden of these costs. Many families are resorting to selling assets, postponing treatment, or slipping deeper into vulnerability.

Despite these challenges, WHO noted that Africa has made progress in expanding healthcare service coverage between 2015 and 2022/23. Improvements were recorded in maternal and child health, infectious and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and service capacity. Notably, Africa achieved the world’s strongest gains in NCD service coverage, largely due to reduced tobacco use.

However, financial protection remains the most stubborn challenge. High healthcare costs continue to undermine poverty reduction efforts, prevent disability management, and reduce survival rates.

WHO has called on governments, civil society, and communities to accelerate reforms that will make healthcare affordable for all. Key priorities include increasing domestic investment in health to reduce reliance on out-of-pocket spending, expanding universal prepayment and risk-pooling systems with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable, and strengthening primary healthcare as the most equitable and cost-effective path to universal coverage.

Additionally, WHO urged African nations to invest more in health workforces, facilities, supply chains, and data systems to ensure not only access to care but also access to quality care. Equity must be prioritized, with resources directed to communities consistently left behind.

Transparency and accountability, supported by disaggregated data, are essential to track progress and ensure that reforms reach those most in need.

This report, released on Universal Health Coverage Day under the banner “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”, serves as a reminder that health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.

For Africa, the challenge is clear: without urgent reforms, the soaring cost of healthcare will continue to push millions into poverty, undermining development goals and the continent’s future prosperity.