African countries are grappling with high rates of communicable diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS, alongside a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, which further strains healthcare resources.

Africa is currently facing a significant healthcare funding crisis as foreign aid decreases, prompting a critical reassessment of healthcare delivery strategies.

Despite the effectiveness of vaccines, many for prevalent diseases in Africa still rely on external aid, highlighting the need for a comprehensive vaccine ecosystem that includes local production and investment.

In 2021, half of sub-Saharan African countries relied on external financing for over one-third of their health expenditures, underscoring the vulnerability of these systems as aid declines.

Looking ahead, estimates suggest that by 2030, an additional US$371 billion per year will be required for basic primary healthcare services in Africa, further exacerbated by rising healthcare costs and population growth.

Such an ecosystem is crucial to address the unique health needs of Africa, with regulatory harmonization across countries necessary to attract more funding.

Integrating disease prevention into community health services can effectively manage both communicable and non-communicable diseases, leveraging the work of community health workers to enhance healthcare delivery.

Vaccination remains one of the most effective preventive measures, with the HPV vaccine capable of reducing cervical cancer cases by up to 85%, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of preventive healthcare.

This reliance on foreign aid has made it increasingly difficult for African health systems to provide accessible and affordable healthcare, particularly as resources remain limited.

To address these challenges, a shift from a treatment-focused to a prevention-focused healthcare model is essential for making healthcare more accessible and sustainable.

Three primary strategies for cost-effective disease management include improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), expanding vaccination programs, and integrating non-communicable disease prevention into community health services.

Investing in WASH infrastructure can prevent numerous diseases and reduce healthcare costs, as inadequate sanitation contributed to an estimated 510,000 preventable deaths in Africa in 2020.