All across the continent, national budgets show such paltry allocations to healthcare, often justified on the basis of resource dearth. Because the country’s healthcare system is run by foreign organisations, it does not include the development of the country’s healthcare cadres to any meaningful length and standards, beyond the rudimentary “nursing” or “midwifery” skills that are offered on the job. In Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the trend is towards privatisation of the health systems. The strategy adopted by most of the world’s governments is to “protect the health system” by “flattening the curve” and reserving resources for coronavirus cases. How was it that the continent’s research centres could not see this and recommend a more suitable course of action is testament to the quality of health system they undergird?

Source: Daily Nation May 02, 2020 05:59 UTC