Health Economics in East Africa: Adapting to Geopolitical Shifts and Building Resilient Health Systems

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East africa
Full Text Article
Published: Feb 22, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61081/gshj/1v2i104
Keywords:
Blended finance, Climate change, East Africa, Health economics, Health financing, Diaspora remittances

Main Article Content

K Madan Gopal
Public Health Adminsitration, National Health Systems Resournce Center, GOI, New Delhi, India
Suneela Garg
Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, New Delhi, India

Abstract

East Africa's health systems face complex challenges, including low health spending, high out-of-pocket payments, shortages of skilled health workers, and increasing pressures from climate change and regional conflicts. These challenges are made worse by the sharp decline in external donor aid, pushing countries to find local solutions. This article examines key health system components in East Africa, focusing on infrastructure, human resources, and pharmaceutical supply chains. It highlights innovative financing mechanisms like sin taxes, diaspora remittances, blended finance, and regional cooperation that are being explored to build sustainable and equitable health systems. Case studies from Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania show how community-based insurance and digital health solutions can improve access to care. The article concludes with recommendations for policymakers, emphasising the need for increased domestic investment, human resource development, local medicine production, and climate-resilient health planning. By learning from these experiences, East Africa can create health systems that are fair, accessible, and ready to face the future.

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How to Cite
Gopal , K. M., & Garg, S. (2026). Health Economics in East Africa: Adapting to Geopolitical Shifts and Building Resilient Health Systems. Global South Healthcare Journal, 1(2), 65–70. https://doi.org/10.61081/gshj/1v2i104
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): July-December, 2025
Section
Viewpoint/Perspective
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

K Madan Gopal , Public Health Adminsitration, National Health Systems Resournce Center, GOI, New Delhi, India

Dr K Madan Gopal is a Senior Health Sector Expert and is currently working as Advisor and Head, Public Health Administration, National Health Systems Resource Center, Government of India (GOI)

Suneela Garg, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, New Delhi, India

Prof Dr Suneela Garg, is Ex-Sub Dean, MAMC New Delhi and Ex-Program Chari, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), Government of India (GOI)

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