Everyone deserves quality healthcare, not just the rich

Africa will need urgent intervention post-COVID-19 in strengthening the health system, the economy, and issues related to debt. Firstly, this crisis is revealing deep structural deficiencies in our health infrastructure. It cannot be that only the elite, the rich, can get the best health services where they are offered. Secondly, this pandemic will shatter economies. In tourism, for example, African countries will be affected differently, for example, the small island developing states such as Mauritius, the Seychelles and Comoros will be affected differently from landlocked countries. Therefore, countries that depend heavily on transport and tourism will need help to recover. Thirdly, this crisis will lead to additional debt if alternative resources are not found to help countries address the impact of COVID-19. Debt relief options such as grants, as opposed to expensive borrowing, are crucial. (author introduction)