Health is one of the most critical areas where Africa’s dependence on external systems remains deeply entrenched. We have rich medical traditions that predate colonial rule but despite that, many African nations rely heavily on imported pharmaceuticals, foreign-trained healthcare professionals and international funding to sustain their health sectors. Public health policies are dictated by global institutions rather than by local needs, resulting in healthcare models that do not always align with African realities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this vulnerability, as Africa struggled to access vaccines, despite having the capacity to develop and manufacture them locally. This dependency is not due to a lack of expertise but rather to systemic structures that prioritise external control over self-sufficiency.
The dominance of Western medicine in African healthcare has also led to the marginalisation of traditional healing practices. Indigenous medical knowledge, which has sustained African communities for centuries, is often dismissed as unscientific, despite its proven effectiveness in treating various illnesses. This dismissal is not just about medical efficacy; it is a deliberate strategy to keep African nations reliant on pharmaceutical imports rather than developing their own healthcare solutions. Meanwhile, brain drain continues to weaken local healthcare systems, as skilled professionals leave for better opportunities abroad, further reinforcing dependency.
To achieve true health sovereignty, Africa must prioritise local pharmaceutical production and manufacture medicines within the continent rather than importing them at exorbitant costs. Countries like Senegal and South Africa have already begun investing in vaccine production, demonstrating that self-sufficiency is possible with the right policies and investment. Traditional medicine should be integrated into national healthcare strategies, with research institutions validating and refining indigenous treatments rather than replacing them with foreign alternatives. Governments must also invest in retaining medical professionals by improving working conditions and offering competitive salaries, reducing the reliance on foreign-trained doctors and external aid.
Wellness involves mental and social well-being, not just healthcare infrastructure. Centuries of external domination have left deep psychological wounds, reinforcing feelings of inferiority and powerlessness. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach that includes mental health awareness, community-driven health initiatives and the promotion of African-centred wellness practices. True health independence is not achieved when we simply improve our hospitals. It is achieved when we dictate our own public health priorities, invest in our own medical research and reclaim the knowledge that has sustained our people for generations.