Better Health in Africa: Experience and Lessons Learned

TLDR: It is argued that despite existing resource constraints it is possible to make immense improvements in health care in sub-Saharan Africa at a cost of approximately $13/person.

Abstract: This book reviews positive experiments in improving health care in sub-Saharan Africa and argues that despite existing resource constraints it is possible to make immense improvements in health care in the region at a cost of approximately $13/person (the current average expenditure is approximately $14/person ranging $10-100/person). These improvements will rely on 1) improving the capability of households and communities to respond effectively to health problems 2) reforming health care systems to use available human and financial resources more productively 3) providing cost-effective packages of basic health services and 4) incorporating cost-sharing to delivery basic health services to low-income areas. The first chapter contains an introduction and overview to the problem. Chapter 2 describes the conditions affecting health in the region and the economic cost of the situation. The third chapter discusses creation of an enabling environment for health and chapter 4 looks at revitalizing national health care systems. Chapter 5 explains the importance of pharmaceuticals and essential drug programs while chapter 6 considers management of human resources for health. Chapter 7 cover infrastructure and equipment needs and chapter 8 looks at management capacity and institutional reform. The next two chapter consider factors relating to costs and funding and the final chapter offers a timetable for change.