Africa at the Centr of Another Global Health Emergency

Geostrategic Public Health Analysis 29-08-2024

In recent months the African continent has once again become the focus of an international threat related to infectious disease and its spread domestically and worldwide.

Thousands of Mpox cases have been detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along with lower numbers in other African states.

There have been a small number of cases in Western Europe triggering the production and distribution of vaccines designed to limit the spread of this highly contagious outbreak. This virus can cause serious illness, and in some instances can be fatal.

However, as in the instances of other epidemics, pandemics and global health emergencies in which Mpox has been declared by the United Nations, the way in which various countries respond to these crises is largely dependent upon the status and character of their national economy.

As colonial, post-colonial and neo-colonial states, the territories of the African continent have experienced unequal growth and development directly emanating from the legacy of imperialism.

Geopolitical regions within the so-called Global South embody a disadvantage due to the historical trajectory that produced the systems of enslavement and direct colonial rule.

 Since the advent of many independence movements in developing states, many still remain under the economic yoke of the western capitalist countries.

Consequently, the disproportionate distribution of economic power has always impacted the capacity of the state to construct and maintain the necessary infrastructure to meet the demands of the people.

Africa, with a rapidly rising population of which 70% are youth, requires innovative methods to supply the necessary health practitioners, medicines, treatments and equipped facilities to adequately address the routine and emergency needs of the people.