Pioneering progress amid resource constraints in African radiology and oncology

Cape Town will (in October) host the continent’s premier medical and healthcare gathering. Africa Health Congress will be hosted at the CTICC and the three days will be filled with important discussions, including this topic which we are sharing today. When it comes to radiology, experts are concerned about resource limits and insufficient skills and services in Africa, especially if one looks at cancer detection and treatment.

Revolutionising African Healthcare: Pharma Distribution, Private Hospitals, and Telemedicine

With just 15% of the world’s population, Africa accounts for 50% of global deaths from communicable diseases. The African healthcare system grapples with a multitude of challenges that hinder the delivery of quality care to its population. One of the most pressing issues is the severe shortage of healthcare professionals. According to the World Health Organisation as of 2022, the African region has only 1.55 healthcare workers per 1,000 population, far below the WHO threshold density of 4.45 per 1,000 needed to deliver essential health services and achieve universal health coverage. This scarcity of trained medical staff puts an immense strain on the already overburdened healthcare infrastructure.

Navigating healthcare uncertainty across Africa

In the article, Rodney Taylor, MD at Guardian Eye, sheds light on the multiple challenges faced by healthcare systems in Africa, such as accessibility, cost constraints, and the potential for digital technologies to transform the sector. He argues that technology can only be effective if it is accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate.

When the perceived cure becomes poison: Urgent action required to address the illicit trade of counterfeit antimalarial drugs in Africa, responsible for 158 000 deaths annually

According to the World Health Organization, the sale of counterfeit medication is the world’s most lucrative illicit trade. Sadly, Africa has become home to an estimated 42% of the world’s cases of trade in counterfeit medications, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and desperate of populations living in low- or middle-income countries.