Photo story: Healthcare in Africa
Many countries in Africa still charge families to see a doctor or nurse. Those who can't afford to pay are denied treatment, with potentially terrible consequences
Thursday 26 July 2007
800 children could be saved every day if healthcare was free in Africa.
Charges for basic healthcare, known as user fees, are one of the major barriers to children and their mothers receiving treatment across the world.
In Africa the situation is urgent. Save the Children's research shows that the lives of nearly a quarter of a million children under five could be saved each year by abolishing user fees for healthcare in 20 African countries alone. These lives could be saved almost immediately just by the increased use of immunisations and simple treatments. Many millions more could be saved if governments in poor countries were adequately supported to invest in their health systems.
View the photo story Healthcare in Africa.
