WHO warns over health data in Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
A WHO assessment of 40 African countries reveals major weaknesses in health data systems, particularly in recording deaths and their causes. Only 19 countries report at least 80% of deaths and 21 record the cause of at least 80% of reported deaths, according to WHO.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of weaknesses in health information systems in 40 countries in the African Region. Only 19 of the 40 countries assessed reported notifying authorities of at least 80% of deaths, while 21 record the cause of death for at least 80% of reported deaths, according to a new WHO assessment.
The study also found that only 43% of the countries assessed have sufficient capacity to analyse health data at facility level, and 25% have sufficient capacity to assess its quality. WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi called on countries to use health information to guide decisions and interventions. WHO estimates that gaps in death registration and data analysis can delay the identification of health risks and intervention among vulnerable populations.
The assessment comes after several health alerts issued in November, including on the Covid variant PJ.2.1 and cholera. The Covid variant PJ.2.1 was the subject of a WHO alert on 9 November, while cholera worldwide in 2026 had been linked to more than 3,000 deaths as of 10 November.
