Mr AlJaaly’s Humanitarian Cardiac Initiative Africa

The healthcare systems in some African countries

With differing economies, governments, and approaches to public health care, it’s impossible to summarise the standard of health care across the continent. But there are several common issues:

• Poor infrastructure may mean provision in rural and remote areas is sparse or non-existent. Major cities and tourist areas are more likely to have good medical facilities, university hospitals, and specialist cardiac care centres.
• Where there is a shortage of doctors, you may find they are mainly located in the major hospitals, with satellite clinics being staffed by nurses or medically trained community personnel.
• Private facilities may provide better services and care, but some may require a deposit before treatment starts — even in an emergency.