Africa: When Deaths Go Uncounted - WHO Flags Dangerous Blind Spots in Africa's Health Data

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified significant gaps in Africa's health information systems, potentially leading to missed opportunities to address critical health issues. In a new report, the organization highlights challenges in recording deaths and gathering accurate health data across the 47 countries that make up the WHO Africa Region.

Only 19 of the 40 assessed countries reported that authorities were notified of at least eight in ten deaths, while just over half (21) recorded the cause of at least eight in ten registered deaths. This data inadequacy makes it difficult for authorities to identify emerging health threats, take life-saving actions, or understand where communities face the greatest risks.

While many countries are at the early stages of developing necessary systems and capacities to produce reliable health information, progress is being made. Over half (43) of the countries have adopted digital platforms for collecting and reporting routine health information. Nigeria, for example, has successfully used vaccination data and community-level information to identify children who have missed routine vaccinations.

The First African Health Data Forum, held in Nairobi, Kenya, provides an opportunity for health ministers, officials, and stakeholders to review the report's findings, share experiences, and discuss potential solutions, including the use of digital health technologies, artificial intelligence, and other innovations to strengthen health information systems.