10 African Countries with the Best Healthcare Systems

African countries with the best healthcare systems are the top countries in Africa that even in difficult navigating of the system have been able to provide a level of good healthcare for their citizens. Most countries in Africa suffer from inadequate healthcare system and this is not an emerging problem, it is a problem the continent have been dealing with for decades.

Africa has been a land filled with riches and opportunities in abundance which has not been correctly tapped into. Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of any citizen and the pillar of a working society has been scarce on the continent, though the continent has witnessed improvements over the years, however, challenges persist.

In this article, we will be looking at the African countries with the best healthcare systems and the position they occupy in the world ranking, given the second most populated continent in the world has seen a significant improvement in recent times. Additionally, this article talks about the healthcare index of each of the countries that will be listed on this list.

Note that the healthcare index according to Numbeo refers to the estimation that evaluates the overall quality of the healthcare system, including factors such as healthcare professionals, equipment, staff, doctors, and costs. It provides an assessment of the healthcare infrastructure, services, and resources available in a specific location.

1. South Africa

South Africa has the best health care in the world having been ranked number 50th in the world, just before Saudi Arabia and Russia. The country leading the African continent has a 63.5% healthcare index compared to the United state and the United Kingdom that has 68.2% and 73.7% respectively.

Additionally, South Africa offers top-notch medical services, comparable to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The public sector, funded by the state, serves 71% of the population, while the private sector, financed by individuals through health insurance, caters to 27%. The government’s National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme enhances public healthcare quality and access for all citizens, regardless of their economic status.

2. Kenya

Kenya ranked as the 53rd country with the best healthcare system in the world, ranks second on this list of African countries with the best healthcare systems.  The East African country with a population of over 53 million people with the best economy in all of East Africa has has 61.5% healthcare system index just before some of the European countries, including Russia, Greece, Poland, and many more.

Kenyan healthcare system excels in modern diagnostic equipment, skilled medical staff, and quality treatment readiness. Meanwhile, in 2021, about 89.4% of Kenya’s population could access public health facilities within an hour, while 80.5% had the same access to private health facilities. Likewise, Kenya had a total of 13,579 health facilities in 2021, with 55.5% public and 44.5% private. Private health facilities were more concentrated in urban areas.

3. Tunisia

Tunisia is a  North African country with a population of over 12 million people and one of the best healthcare systems in the world as well as in Africa. The country with 57.8% of the healthcare index is the 67th country in the world ranking as one of the best. Additionally, Tunisia runs its healthcare system on taxation from the citizens and businesses and compulsory salary deduction of 2.75% paid by the employee from salary and 4% by the employers.

Tunisia’s state-run medical facilities, which include 180 hospitals, provide free healthcare to all citizens. These facilities range from regional and university hospitals to private ones, totaling over 2,000 in 2021.

4. Algeria

Algeria has a population of over 44 million people and it is ranked 80th in the world based on quality healthcare and accessibility. Meanwhile, the North African country which lies on the Mediterranean coastline and a Saharan desert boasts of 53.9% healthcare index in the world. Algeria comes before the likes of Ireland, and Morocco among others, making it one of the African countries with the best healthcare systems.

5. Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and an acclaimed giant of Africa with a population of about 230 million people. The is among the countries in the world with the most best healthcare systems. It is the 5th country in Africa with a best healthcare systems among the 55 countries on the African continent. Additionally, it has a 48.0% healthcare index that evaluate the overall standard of the countries healthcare system. Nigeria as a country has better health personnel than most other African countries. However, high cost of drug, non availability of some certain drugs considering its size and population, where there are fewer health workers per unit is among the challenges of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

6. Egypt

Egypt is one of the biggest country in economy, military strength and in population with over 110 million people. The Northeast country is having one of the best healthcare systems in Africa and the world at large. Additionally, Egyptian healthcare system relies on four financial agents, for it growth which includes the government and the public sector as well as private organizations and out-of-pocket payments made by individuals and families. Egypt has 47.7% healthcare index and is ranked 88th in the world among over 200 countries in the world. Also, the in recent year the budget of the healthcare industry has increased by 15% with the government investing EGP 436 billion ($14.1 billion) into the system.

7. Morocco

Morocco having a population of over 40 million people is one of the African countries with the best healthcare systems. It is the 91st best country with adequate health care system in the world and 7th in Africa. Among the countries of the world, Morocco ranks as one of the best in over 200 countries of the world. Meanwhile, in Morocco just like many other African countries, the state is the primary healthcare provider, with 85 percent of supply provided by public hospitals and 15 percent by private institution. The Moroccan healthcare system is currently being reform in a ambitious way to meet up with standards of the top tier countries in the world.

8. Rwanda

Rwanda has one of the best healthcare systems in Africa having a budget which ensures that the health sector gets over 20 percent of funding. The country currently has the maximum government income, but sadly doesn’t have enough private stakeholders in the sector. Rwanda government has tried in recent years to increase the accessibility of its citizens to adequate healthcare system by establishing between August 2021 and February 2022 1,179 of health posts alone.

9. Seychelles

Seychelles has a population of about 100 thousand people living on the 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It is one of the smallest African country by population as well as one of the African countries with the best healthcare system. According to WHO, Seychelles is the only African country that is declared as a high-income country having made remarkable political, social and economic progress. Additionally, there is free access to primary and tertiary healthcare for all citizens but foreigners may be required to pay a certain amount. Likewise, there is 6 government-owned hospitals with several clinics, private and government-run healthcare service.

10. São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe has one of the best healthcare system in Africa. The country which is situated in the Central African plain with a population of over 200 thousand people is one of African’s country with best healthcare system. According to Statista, São Tomé and Príncipe is ranked 94th in the world. Although, this ranking differs from Numbeo ranking where the country is not ranked at all.

Table below contains the African Countries with the Best Healthcare Systems and their world rankings.

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