Advancing Health Care in Africa

Africa faces a complex set of unique health care challenges driven by a combination of resource constraints, infrastructure gaps and a high burden of infectious and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Limited access to quality health care services, especially in rural areas, exacerbates health disparities, while a shortage of medical professionals and essential medicines further strains the system.

In addition, tightened fiscal budgets and the social determinants of health add new pressures to an already fragile landscape. Public-private partnerships, digital health solutions and sustainable financing are essential to building capacity and resilience, and to ensuring access to care across the continent.

“Strengthening health care in Africa requires collaboration,” says Reid Harrison, BCIU’s Director of Partnerships and Life Sciences. “The public and private sectors must work together to drive and expand access to innovation and build resilience against existing and future threats.”

BCIU’s programming brings together health care partners and stakeholders who are working to address health care challenges in Africa. Topics include NCDs like sickle cell disease (SCD) and breast and cervical cancer, as well as women’s health, maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS. Below are some of the key partnerships transforming health care across Africa.

Elevating SCD to the Global Stage

One of the most pressing health challenges in Africa is SCD. While SCD is a global disease—and the most common inherited blood disorder worldwide—it disproportionately affects African children, placing a significant burden on families and health care systems across the continent. A recent Global Burden of Disease study identified SCD as the 12th-leading cause of death for children under five, a statistic that underscores the severity of the issue.[1] Though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared SCD a public health priority in 2006, progress in addressing the disease has been limited.

“Sickle cell disease is often overlooked in global health agendas,” says Fola Egbujo, Global Program Head for Sickle Cell Disease at Novartis. “Together with our partners, we are working to increase focus on screening, early diagnosis and connecting communities to better health. Our collective action can dramatically reduce the burden of SCD in the region.”

Alongside Novartis, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations, UNICEF and the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease (WCSCD), BCIU twice convened groups of UN member states to raise awareness of SCD. These efforts expanded pathways for including SCD in the UN political declaration on NCDs ahead of the High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This collaboration aims to foster dialogue among policymakers, health experts and industry leaders to drive meaningful progress toward reducing the burden of SCD in Africa by advocating for increased investment in early screening and improved access to treatment.

By engaging with UN institutions and member states, this programming has elevated SCD on the global and national health agendas as a priority NCD and has provided a platform for country champions to drive meaningful action with the UN system.

Addressing Cancer

Breast and cervical cancer are among the most significant NCDs in Africa, with disproportionately high mortality rates among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite being the most common cancer worldwide, breast cancer outcomes vary dramatically: Over 70% of avoidable breast cancer deaths occur among women under 70 in LMICs, largely due to late-stage diagnoses and inadequate health care services.[2] In sub-Saharan Africa, the five-year breast cancer survival rate is at just 40%, compared to over 90% in high-income countries, underscoring the urgent need for improved screening and treatment access.[3]

To address this issue, Roche has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa to launch a Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Initiative in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zimbabwe. These efforts aim to enhance early diagnosis and improve access to treatment, particularly in underserved areas.

“Early and timely detection is critical to improving cancer outcomes in Africa. It enables faster access to effective treatment and reduces preventable mortality,” says Joanna Sickler, Vice President, Health Policy & External Affairs, Roche Diagnostics. “Achieving this requires more than medical innovation: It demands strong and strategic partnerships that drive implementation, build connected clinical pathways, prevent ‘lost to follow-up’ and ultimately strengthen resilient health care systems across the continent.”

Sustainable progress requires stronger policy integration and increased investment in national cancer strategies, with a focus on health care infrastructure enhancements such as one-stop screening centers for breast cancer and other NCDs. By integrating cancer detection within broader health systems, these initiatives not only improve early diagnosis but also can provide a more holistic approach to women’s health and community well-being.

Improving Maternal and Child Health Outcomes

While Africa has made significant progress in improving population health, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain high. Over 4.5 million women and babies die each year during pregnancy, childbirth or shortly after birth—equivalent to one death every seven seconds.[4] Global efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality have stalled over the past eight years, with the greatest burden falling on LMICs. Many of these deaths are preventable, but gaps in health care infrastructure, workforce training and access to essential maternal health services continue to drive mortality rates.

Addressing maternal health challenges requires stronger public-private collaboration, investment in health care infrastructure and innovative digital health tools. The GE HealthCare Foundation has been at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging technology and partnerships to strengthen maternal health care systems. Through initiatives that integrate digital solutions and workforce training, stakeholders aim to reduce maternal mortality and ensure that women receive access to care.

“The urgency to act is growing,” says Abigail Epane-Osuala, president of the GE HealthCare Foundation. “Partnerships among governments, health care providers and the private sector will be critical in accelerating progress toward better maternal health outcomes across Africa.”

As Africa works to strengthen its health care systems, cross-sector collaboration and sustained investment are essential in achieving equitable and lasting improvements. By advancing innovation, prioritizing women’s and children’s health, and addressing critical diseases like SCD and cancer, partnerships can unlock healthier futures for communities across the continent.

To learn more about BCIU’s life sciences programming, please visit bciu.org and our events page.

[1] https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/sickle-cell-disease-11-times-more-deadly-previously-recorded

[2] https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240065987

[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/addressing-inequities-in-breast-cancer-treatment-in-sub-saharan-africa–insights-from-a-breast-cancer-surgeon-in-nairobi

[4] https://www.who.int/news/item/09-05-2023-global-progress-in-tackling-maternal-and-newborn-deaths-stalls-since-2015–un#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20report%20shows%20that,the%20first%20month%20of%20life.