Kenya: WHO Warns Poor Health Data Systems Could Delay Lifesaving Interventions Across Africa

What the report says

The World Health Organization says weak health data systems in many African countries could slow responses to preventable illnesses and other life-threatening risks. In a report discussed in Nairobi, Kenya, WHO said more than half of the 40 African countries assessed were not adequately recording deaths, making it harder for authorities to spot trends, verify causes of death and direct resources where they are most needed.

According to the report, only 19 of the 40 countries said at least 80% of deaths were notified to authorities, while 21 countries reported capturing the cause of death for at least 80% of registered deaths. WHO also pointed to broader gaps in data quality, including limited capacity at health facilities to analyze information and weak systems for checking accuracy. The assessment, carried out in 2024 across 40 of the WHO African Region’s 47 member states, gave the region an overall health information system maturity score of 59 out of 100.

The findings were presented at the First Africa Health Data Forum, which opened in Nairobi on November 10 and runs through November 12. WHO and participating governments are using the forum to discuss how to improve reporting, planning and investment in health information systems.

The report also notes that some countries are already using better data to improve services, such as identifying missed immunizations or tracking maternal deaths. WHO has recently launched a Regional Health Data Hub to help connect fragmented systems and support more timely decision-making across the continent.