There is a new and exciting debate that Africa’s biggest asset going into the future will no longer be our natural resources endowments like minerals. It is going to be its people; a continent with 1.4 billion people with an average age of just 20 years.
This is the new gold and diamond. This level of human capital is our biggest asset today and we have to figure out how to make the right investments in our people to enable them to compete at the global level and unlock the untapped potential of the continent. If we want our youthful population to play at a global level, we must be serious about investments in education and health as a beginning point.
This way we can ignite a new narrative that changes the 19th century description of Africa as a dark continent to a bright, modern and prosperous continent. In 2001 African heads of state met in Abuja and made a declaration to allocate 15% of their annual budgets to healthcare.
20 years later only 2 countries have achieved this target and this means that we cannot leave healthcare behind as we ignite this new and exciting debate.
The rest of the developed world has made significant progress in how they are delivering healthcare using advanced technology but more importantly, entrenching evidence-based medicine as the cornerstone of their healthcare systems. Investment in diagnostics and accessibility of the same across populations is the key driver of evidence-based medicine.
These kinds of practices drive precision in identifying diseases, early detection, and ultimately a lower cost to patients by reducing misdiagnosis. Africa has to accelerate the pace at which we catch up and diagnostics has to be part of that conversation.
The pace, here in East Africa, Kenya has in recent years, made commendable strides in enhancing its healthcare system. The efforts towards universal healthcare continue to take center stage in healthcare financing and as we speak today there is a transition from the current national insurance fund to a new and bigger fund that is more comprehensive to address emerging disease patterns.
However, one critical area that requires immediate attention and improvement is the accessibility of diagnostic services. Out of the total healthcare budgets in Africa, less than 2 percent goes into diagnostics financing and yet proper diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective healthcare, enabling accurate treatment, efficient management of diseases, and better patient outcomes.
For many people in East Africa and in particular Kenyans especially those in rural and underserved areas, access to these essential services remains limited. As a result, many Kenyans must travel long distances to access diagnostic services and others forgo testing altogether.
This disparity exacerbates health inequities and perpetuates the cycle of illness, heaving the health burden among many Kenyans. By improving accessibility to diagnostic services through strategic investments in infrastructure and technology, we can bridge this gap and ensure that all Kenyans have equitable access to timely and accurate diagnostics
The potential outcomes of investing in accessible diagnostic services extend far beyond mere health improvements; they encompass broader socio-economic benefits. Early detection of diseases not only saves lives but also reduces the economic health burden associated with advanced-stage treatments.
By shifting the focus from reactive to proactive healthcare, we can alleviate the strain on the healthcare system and redirect resources toward preventative measures. A robust diagnostic sector has the ripple effect of fostering innovation, attracting investment, creating employment, and stimulating economic growth.
It is paramount that as a country we align closely with the sustainability development goals, particularly Goal 3, (Good Health and Well Being) which emphasizes the importance of universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare services. This must include diagnostic services.
The government has recognized the importance of diagnostic services and has included diagnostic infrastructure development in its Kenya Health Policy (2014-2030) and the Universal Health Coverage(UHC) plan.
To effectively action these policies and plans collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to maximize the impact of investments in diagnostic services. Private entities like PathCare Kenya, bring expertise, innovation, and efficiency to the table.
These collaborations and partnerships can leverage the strengths of both sectors to create a sustainable diagnostic ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of the population in Kenya.
Investing in diagnostic services is not just a matter of healthcare; it’s a matter of human dignity, social justice, and economic prosperity. It would contribute to early detection and better management of diseases. Similarly, building strong and sustainable healthcare systems in Africa requires investments in diagnostic capacity.
This will give room for changing how we approach healthcare; from reactive to proactive medicine. This way the healthcare sector and in particular the diagnostic sector can contribute to keeping the African population healthy and resilient to compete even at a global level.
The Author, Samwel Irungu, is the Managing Director, PathCare Kenya
