President John Dramani Mahama has raised alarm over the growing burden of disease across Africa, warning that millions of people continue to suffer from preventable and treatable illnesses that are slowing the continent’s development.
Speaking at the African Union Extraordinary Health Summit, President Mahama revealed that more than 90 million Africans living with hepatitis B or C remain undiagnosed, leaving many without access to life-saving treatment. He also noted that malaria continues to be a major public health threat, while non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer claim the lives of more than two million Africans under the age of 70 every year.
The summit brought together African Heads of State and Government to adopt a fully costed continental roadmap aimed at eliminating AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030.
In his address, President Mahama urged African leaders to move beyond conventional healthcare approaches and embrace bold, transformative solutions that strengthen health systems across the continent.
“Neglected tropical diseases still blind, disfigure and stigmatise our people, and if you are observant you will notice that most accounts of the global infectious diseases burden present a uniquely depressing African perspective,” he said.
He stressed that Africa can no longer depend on external support to drive its healthcare agenda.
“Africa now stands at a crossroad defined by its appetite for total health transformation. It can no longer allow itself to be pushed to the periphery and cast as the destitute beneficiary of the largesse of some distant global health systems,” President Mahama added.
He called on leaders to ensure that the commitments made at the summit are backed by concrete action, sustained political will and increased investment in healthcare.
According to President Mahama, strengthening health systems and translating policy commitments into measurable outcomes will be critical to improving healthcare delivery and achieving the continent’s long-term health goals.
