Yao Konu reveals the impact of COVID-19 on health systems in Togo

Yao Konu's thesis, supported by the University of Bordeaux, highlights that 70% of the Togolese population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2, leading to a significant drop in access to care. This research, validated by ABES/STAR, underscores the challenges that health systems face during a crisis, particularly for priority diseases.

Yao Konu's research addresses the resilience of health systems in Togo in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reveals that this crisis has severely affected access to care for diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, reminding us of the consequences of previous epidemics like Ebola, which had already weakened health systems in West Africa.

The analysis demonstrates that 70% of the Togolese population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2, leading to a reduction in access to maternal and child health services. Patients with HIV have particularly suffered from disruptions in access to antiretroviral treatments, increasing the risk of transmission and worsening the epidemiological situation.

The results of this thesis highlight the need to strengthen the resilience of health systems in West Africa. Policymakers must invest in robust health infrastructure to improve access to care and reduce long-term costs associated with epidemics, while considering political and regulatory challenges.

« “70% of the Togolese population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2, which has severely disrupted access to care for priority diseases,” says Yao Konu. »

« “This research illustrates the importance of accessing reliable data to inform the decisions of health actors in West Africa,” emphasizes the Lektaris team. »