According to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report, the healthy life expectancy in the African region has increased on average by 10 years per person between 2000 and 2019.

In 2000, the healthy life expectancy in the African region was 46 years. Now, an individual in a good state of health can be expected to live 56 years. Although the global healthy life expectancy average is 64 years, the African region’s increase has been greater than any other region in the world during the same period.

The increase in Africa's healthy life expectancy has been due to the provision of essential health services, gains in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health care. Furthermore, the advanced control measures implemented from 2005 against infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria were also significant to the extension of healthy life expectancy.

However, the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic could halt the region's progress. According to the report, African countries reported greater disruptions across essential services compared with other regions. 

Although restorative efforts have been made to essential services, it is crucial for African governments to secure public health financing to ensure the quality and stability of accessible health services for their citizens.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “COVID-19 has shown how investing in health is critical to a country’s security. The better Africa can cope with pandemics and other health threats, the more our people and economies thrive. I urge governments to invest in health and be ready to tackle head on the next pathogen to come bearing down on us.”