Shaping health systems in Africa

When countries search for answers on how to develop and improve their healthcare systems, they look to other countries for examples of best practice.   

The African Health Observatory – Platform on Health Systems and Policies (AHOP) was established to promote evidence informed policy making in the African region. In collaboration with AFRO and the European Observatory, AHOP brings together expertise from LSE, the World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa and National Centres based in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Senegal. This network synthesises existing research and generates new insights to support health system strengthening.

Launched in 2020, AHOP is providing essential insight and guidance on immediate and longer-term challenges. It has investigated how African countries have responded to COVID-19, as well as producing a series of briefings for policymakers on issues critical to the health of African nations. Topics under analysis include health insurance, workforce and reducing the burden of non-communicable disease. To underpin this work, AHOP is now developing a series of country health profiles, undertaken in partnership with Health Ministries in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Senegal. These profiles will provide an in-depth analysis of each country’s health system and services and aims to chart a way forward to inform future health provision.