Bishop Kukah urges Africa to end dependence on foreign aid, reform health systems

Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto state, has called for urgent, Africa-driven solutions to the continent’s deepening health crisis, stressing that continued dependence on foreign aid is no longer sustainable.

Speaking at the African Faith and Health Leaders Consultation in Nairobi, hosted by CCIH, AACC, and ACHAP, Bishop Kukah urged religious leaders, civil society organisations, and governments to take greater responsibility and demand accountability from political officeholders.

He challenged faith institutions to intensify advocacy for health reforms, warning that Africa must stop “blaming the victim” or relying solely on divine intervention to make up for dysfunctional health systems.

The consultation brought together church representatives from 10 sub-Saharan African countries to deliberate on equitable health financing, sustainable healthcare for underserved communities, and stronger policy advocacy.

Bishop Kukah criticised African governments for failing to meet the Abuja Declaration commitment of allocating at least 15 percent of national budgets to health. He pointed out that moral appeals must be backed by evidence, data-driven analysis, and sustained pressure on policymakers.

Citing examples from Nigeria, he described how citizens were burdened by rising hospital bills and constant financial hardship. He noted that poverty had turned healthcare into a struggle for survival, with families continually seeking for help to cover basic medical costs.

Kukah called for more effective local resource mobilisation and urged wealthy Africans to invest significantly in the health sector, arguing that “it is more expensive to die in Africa than to live.”

He cautioned that the continent cannot continue relying on Europe and America to solve its health challenges.

The consultation is expected to continue with discussions on local health manufacturing, fair financing mechanisms, government partnerships, and community-driven solutions.