Nigeria, ranked 87th globally, held the fifth position among African countries with the best healthcare systems according to a recent index.
South Africa, positioned 49th worldwide, topped the list on the continent.
Kenya, 53rd globally, claimed the second spot, while Tunisia, at 71st worldwide, secured third place.
This ranking is based on the Numbeo index, which collects its data through surveys completed by visitors to its website.
The survey questions are designed to align with various scientific and government surveys.
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems in both developed and developing countries. Africa, with some of the weakest health systems globally, has limited evidence on its preparedness, impact, and response to the pandemic.
African health systems were inadequately prepared for the pandemic, resulting in substantial impact.
Responses were slow and did not match the magnitude of the problem. Prioritizing interventions to improve and strengthen health system resilience and financing through local, national, and global engagement is crucial.
When the global crisis hit, Africa felt the economic impact, revealing differences in how countries managed the situation based on the strength of their healthcare systems.
However, healthcare challenges extend beyond the pandemic, and the quality of healthcare services varies across the continent depending on each country’s health system.
The concept of a healthcare index has gained importance over time, helping countries assess their healthcare systems’ strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing improvement.
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and vital for overall well-being.
While some African countries have made significant progress in healthcare delivery, others continue to struggle with limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and workforce shortages.
The Health Care Index evaluates healthcare systems by examining factors such as healthcare professionals, equipment, staff, doctors, and costs.
It provides an overview of how well-equipped and resourced healthcare systems are in different locations.
A similar list was published in 2023, but the current results show some countries have improved while others have not.
This inequality in healthcare access often leads to disparities in health outcomes among different populations.
A recent health index by Numbeo has identified the countries with the highest health index in Africa at the start of 2024.
Below are the African countries with the best healthcare systems in 2024:
1. South Africa, index: 64.0 – 49th globally
2. Kenya, index: 61.1 – 53rd globally
3. Tunisia, index: 57.0 – 71st globally
4. Algeria, index: 54.7 – 78th globally
5. Nigeria, index: 48.7 – 87th globally
6. Egypt, Index: 47.5 – 89th globally
7. Morocco, index: 44.7 – 92nd globally
