Drug-resistant infections now kill more Africans than HIV/AIDS or malaria, signaling a new era of global health insecurity, according to Gatefield, a public strategy organisation.
If unchecked, Gatefield warned that antimicrobial resistance could claim 10 million lives annually by 2050, surpassing cancer as the world’s leading cause of death.
According to the organisation, Africa’s health systems are under unprecedented pressure; from rising chronic diseases, drug-resistant infections, to underfunded mental and women’s health services which threaten millions of lives.
“Warning signs are clear: one in three adults has high blood pressure, one in three people can obtain antibiotics without a prescription, and when antibiotics fail, even simple infections can turn deadly. The erosion of basic health protections threatens to reverse decades of progress in life expectancy, economic growth, and stability”, the organisation stated.
In addition, it noted that fewer than 8% of people across the region have health insurance, even as the burden of chronic diseases rises faster here than anywhere else in the world.
“Nearly one in four African lives is cut short by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Behind these numbers lies a deeper crisis of access, equity, and investment. Africa carries 25% of the world’s disease burden but receives only 3% of global health spending. Each year, 150 million Africans face catastrophic health expenses that push families into poverty, underscoring the fragility of financing systems”, the statement added.
Gatefield further expressed concerns that women’s health and mental health remain critically under-resourced with 116 million Africans living with mental health conditions, yet less than 2% of global health funding targets the crisis.
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Against this backdrop, the organisation explained that the Gatefield Health Summit 2025 in Abuja from October 22 will convene global and regional leaders to define a new agenda for resilient health futures, noting that Sub-Saharan Africa stands at a defining moment for health resilience.
“Health resilience begins with systems that anticipate shocks, whether pandemics, drug resistance, or financial strain, and protect the most vulnerable. It demands stronger domestic financing, data-driven governance, and innovation in community- and at-home care”, Omei Bongos, public health lead at Gatefield said.
“The Gatefield Health Summit 2025 will convene policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders to redefine resilience across Africa. From food and funding to women’s health and medicines, the agenda recognizes the shared truth that health systems must be built to endure,” Shirley Ewang, advocacy lead at Gatefield said.
Confirmed speakers include leaders from The World Bank, International Diabetes Federation, Pathfinder International, Policy Innovation Center, Society for Family Health, and the South African Medical Research Council.
