Debt crisis, health and health services in Africa.

In the early 1960s when most of Africa became independent, the hope for the resolution of the related problems of poverty, illiteracy and disease became the primary agenda of its sovereign states. There were indeed initial gains in various aspects of social infrastructure, especially education and medical services. Beginning from the mid 1970s, but particularly since 1980, this initial progress is, however, being reversed as Africa totters under an excruciating debt burden and accompanying austerity programmes. This essay provides a kaleidoscope of this ominous decay with particular reference to health and health services. Several proposals for the way forward are discussed.