WHO urges African nations to increase investment in primary healthcare

DAR ES SALAAM: African countries have been urged to increase investment in primary healthcare to ensure people receive the right services, at the right place and at the right time before illnesses become life-threatening.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi made the call today, September 9, 2026,   during the Second International Primary Health Care (PHC) Conference 2026 in Arusha while stating that his experience in treating critically ill patients has repeatedly raised the question of whether some of them could have avoided severe conditions had they accessed timely care at health facilities closer to their homes.

According to the WHO Regional Director, primary healthcare goes beyond establishing dispensaries, describing it as a system designed to bring appropriate and timely services closer to communities.

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“Strong primary healthcare systems play a critical role in detecting diseases early, preventing outbreaks, maintaining essential services during emergencies and strengthening countries’ ability to respond to health challenges,” he said.

Emphasizing, he stated that declining health financing and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further demonstrated the need for resilient and adaptable healthcare systems across Africa.

He noted that countries with strong and flexible primary healthcare systems were better positioned to maintain essential services even during emergencies and other major disruptions.

He further urged African countries and development partners to prioritise investment in primary healthcare as a foundation for equitable, accessible and quality health services across the continent.