India – Africa Synergies: A Look into the Health Sector

It has been four years since the United Nations declared 17 sustainable development goals and its 2030 agenda. The sustainable development goals comprise social, economic as well as environmental factors. All these factors are interrelated to each other. The Agenda 2030 is considered to be ambitious however the path to achieve these goals are obstructed by various challenges like climate change, internal as well as external conflict, epidemic diseases so on and so forth. Countries of the world have dedicated themselves to achieving these goals. But there are continents that are facing difficulties in achieving the time- scaled global target. Of this, the continent of Africa’s development is most challenged and requires large scale development. Lack of good health and quality education is considered as a major challenge to a country’s development.

Health care systems are said to be an important element and such systems across the globe are in a crisis situation. This crisis range from inadequate infrastructure to inefficient working systems. African countries have higher medical needs. The life expectancy in Sub- Saharan Africa is said to be very low and every day thousands of children are dying either by malnutrition or HIV. Deaths caused by tuberculosis and malaria has also gone up in recent times. The continent has also become a target of non- communicable lifestyle diseases. A large number of African countries still lack access to basic clean water, sanitation and nutritional needs. Poor infrastructure, lack of skilled professionals as well as geographical and socioeconomic inequalities has restricted the supply of adequate healthcare. The diversity of the continent is also regarded as a challenge to health care. Countries vary from being resource-rich to extremely poor, some countries have dynamic economies while some countries are still facing internal conflict. The African healthcare system is largely dependent on foreign aid and multilateral budgets. A large number of countries have contributed to improving the living conditions of people. One of the main contributors in this field in India.

India’s contribution in promoting the sustainable development goal is very well highlighted in its own policies dedicated towards national development. The prime minister has also emphasized on “Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth”, popularly known as “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”. As the population is increasing, good health is a challenge and the government has focused greatly on improving the health care systems within the country. The government came up with quality framework known as the National Health Policy in 2017, which emphasis on increasing the level of good health and wellbeing as well as universal access to good quality health care services without any biases. In order to reduce the child mortality rate due to vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccination against various diseases is being provided as well as health insurance coverage is also provided as a step towards gaining universal health coverage.

As India shares a cordial relationship with many of the African nations, it has extended its hand towards improving the health care systems in Africa. South-South cooperation is considered as a major element in India’s Africa policy. Both India and Africa are trying to re-establish its ties to meet its growing economic demand. In this regard, cooperation in the health sector is considered to have great potential. India is extending healthcare facilities to fight serious diseases like Malaria, HIV/AIDS so on and so forth. The cooperation between the two is considered to be adding value to Goal 3 of sustainable development. India has come up with the project known as Pan-African E-Network which provides tele-medicines wherein Indian medical specialists provide consultation to medical practitioners placed across different parts of the continent. The Indian government has also provided scholarships and training facilities. The Indian pharmaceutical companies have played an important role in improving the health conditions by providing world-class technology and a wide range of medicines. The cooperation has gone beyond health care such as the government has provided assistance and aid for building hospitals as well as improving the capacity in drug production through joint ventures. The two have also promoted large scale research and development in this sector. The India-Africa Forum Summit has also highlighted the importance of health care and has come up with the India- Africa Health Fund. This fund is directed towards improving the health and capability of the African people.

Though India-Africa has contributed to various sectors, cooperation in health sector continues to be an important component in their relationship. More and more initiatives need to be taken to improve the health care system in Africa. The success of the initiative depends on the fulfilment of the promises made by the government to the people. Bilateral engagements need to be increased as it will help in enhancing the relationship. The two sides also push for deeper partnership in health care. In view of the competition in the global system, there is a need that countries should act as contributors rather than being the receiver. India needs to come up with policies and financial incentives, will help her gain tremendously despite the increasing competition by western and non-western countries.