How Private Health Care Can Help Africa

To understand how the private health sector might better complement Africa’s public health systems, we studied the health care sectors of 45 sub-Saharan African countries. The findings suggest opportunities for private enterprise to help improve the region’s woefully poor health outcomes. At the same time, the research also highlights challenges—such as inconsistent quality of care, health worker shortages, and inadequate regulation - that must be addressed if the private sector is to most effectively benefit the health of Africa’s people. [from author]