Global Health Reset and India’s emerging role in Africa

The consequences of the US withdrawal from the WHO and USAID funding cuts are yet to be fully understood, but the impact could be devastating, especially for Africa. The continent bears 20% of the world’s disease burden, with over 90% of malaria cases and most HIV cases occurring there. Africa relies heavily on external aid for vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics—over 90% of which are imported. These funding cuts, combined with the threat of outbreaks like Mpox, Ebola, and cholera, could lead to 2 to 4 million more deaths annually.

In this urgent situation, India has the potential to step in and make a difference. With a strong pharmaceutical industry and a history of collaboration with Africa, India can help bridge the growing gap in healthcare. The India-Africa partnership, rooted in mutual respect and shared goals, could play a vital role in saving lives through affordable medicines and medical support.

Shared Challenges, Shared Aspirations
India and Africa face many of the same challenges in healthcare: underfunded systems, lack of access to affordable medicine, shortages in trained personnel, and rural-urban disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities but also highlighted the power of collaboration.

The pandemic also reminded the world that global health cannot be separated by borders. As supply chains faltered and vaccine nationalism surged, India’s ability to produce affordable vaccines and essential drugs emerged as a critical lifeline. This moment laid the foundation for a broader, long-term health alliance beyond emergency response. As the world’s focus shifts toward the US action, India must lead the way through mutual support and innovation, helping Africa build a robust healthcare ecosystem.

While pharmaceuticals have remained the backbone of this collaboration, the partnership must evolve to include the full spectrum of Africa’s healthcare needs. Investment in hospital infrastructure, diagnostic services, telemedicine platforms, and digital health records would be key to addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Africa imports over 80% of its pharmaceutical products, compared to India’s 5%, due to limited manufacturing capacity. India’s expertise in generic medicine manufacturing, combined with its growing capability in medical devices and diagnostics, presents an opportunity to develop localised solutions for African countries. By establishing production units, logistics hubs, and testing laboratories on the continent, Indian healthcare firms can support local economies while improving healthcare delivery.

In addition to modern health infrastructure, medical equipment such as dialysis machines, radiology tools, and diagnostic kits are increasingly needed across Africa. India’s growing medical device industry, supported by competitive pricing and innovation, is well-placed to meet this demand.

Digital Health and Telemedicine: The Next Frontier

Digital infrastructure is emerging as a critical component of modern healthcare. Telemedicine has the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide by providing remote access to specialist care, reducing travel time and costs for patients. India, with its experience in deploying digital health platforms such as its vaccine management system, can assist African nations in developing similar tools for nationwide health monitoring and service delivery.

Capacity-building through virtual training platforms and real-time consultation can empower local healthcare professionals and create a sustainable knowledge exchange network. These systems can be customised for regional languages and cultural contexts, making them more accessible and practical.

Medical Education, Training, and Tourism

Training and education remain vital pillars in the India-Africa healthcare relationship. Offering medical training, scholarships, and continued skill development opportunities helps build self-reliant health systems across Africa. When combined with telemedicine and digital support, these trained professionals can continue to receive guidance and collaborate across borders.

India’s reputation as a centre for affordable and quality healthcare has also contributed to the growth of medical tourism from Africa. However, there is a need to move beyond short-term visits. A long-term strategy focused on transferring knowledge and building health infrastructure within Africa can deliver more sustainable outcomes.

Traditional Medicine: A Cultural Bridge

Traditional medicine plays an integral role in the healthcare practices of both India and Africa. The two regions can leverage this shared heritage to create a unique model integrating traditional knowledge with modern healthcare standards. India’s deep roots in Ayurveda and natural healing offer a framework that could be adapted and regulated in African contexts, respecting local customs and contributing to holistic wellness.

Incorporating traditional healers into primary care systems—through training, basic medical equipment, and partnerships—can create an effective first line of healthcare support, particularly in rural areas where access to modern facilities remains limited.

Innovation, Regulation, and Investment

For the India-Africa healthcare partnership to reach its full potential, systemic improvements must be made in regulatory processes. Long timelines for drug approvals and imports reduce the efficacy and utility of new medicines. Streamlining these systems through bilateral agreements and mutual recognition mechanisms can accelerate access to lifesaving treatments.

Innovation must also be at the heart of this collaboration. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and robotics have the power to revolutionise diagnostics, medical training, and patient care. India can offer cost-effective and scalable tech solutions that suit the realities of African health systems.

With the increasing demand for generics and treatments for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Africa’s pharmaceutical market is rapidly expanding, representing approximately $25 billion. Unsurprisingly, many countries, including China and Turkey, hope to take advantage of the situation. India must develop novel investment models, reworking its current public-private partnerships (PPPs) and government-supported lines of credit that can be tailored to finance infrastructure projects, digital health platforms, and pharmaceutical manufacturing units across Africa.

The India-Africa healthcare partnership is a powerful example of South-South cooperation that goes beyond trade and aid. It is a partnership built on mutual growth, shared health challenges, and a vision for inclusive development. By leveraging India’s strengths in pharmaceuticals, digital health, medical education, and traditional wellness and combining them with Africa’s dynamic potential and demand, the two continents can jointly build resilient, equitable healthcare systems. If necessity is the mother of invention, the US withdrawal from the global health system should galvanise India to step up and fill the void.