Within BPH, Yao Konu explored the impact of COVID-19 on health systems in Togo.
Yao Konu, chercheur·e au sein de BPH (Université de Bordeaux).
Thèse soutenue en 2024 à l'école doctorale École doctorale Sociétés, politique, santé publique (Talence, Gironde ; 2011-....).
Référencée dans le réseau ABES/STAR, cette thèse répond aux critères de rigueur de l'enseignement supérieur français.
Yao Konu's thesis addresses a highly relevant topic: the resilience of health systems in the face of health crises, using Togo during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. Through rigorous analysis, the author highlights how this crisis affected access to care for priority diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Preliminary results reveal that 70% of the Togolese population was infected with SARS-CoV-2, leading to a significant drop in access to maternal and child health services. This phenomenon is not isolated; it recalls the consequences observed during previous epidemics, such as Ebola, which had already undermined the health systems of several West African countries.
The implications of this crisis are profound and multifaceted. For example, the reduction in access to care has led to an increase in untreated disease cases, which could have long-term consequences for public health. Patients with HIV, for instance, have seen their access to antiretroviral treatments disrupted, which could increase virus transmission and worsen the epidemiological situation. Similarly, malaria cases, which require rapid diagnosis and treatment, have been neglected, leading to complications in patients, particularly among children and pregnant women.
The methodology employed by Konu relies on the analysis of routine data, integrating advanced statistical methods. This allows for a precise assessment of the effects of COVID-19 on essential health services. The results show an alarming decrease in access to care, raising questions about the capacity of health systems in sub-Saharan Africa to cope with such crises. How can we ensure that these systems can not only respond to health emergencies but also maintain care for priority diseases?
It is crucial to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed structural weaknesses in health systems, particularly regarding funding, human resources, and infrastructure. In many West African countries, health systems are often underfunded, limiting their ability to respond to large-scale crises. For example, Togo, like other countries in the region, has faced shortages of medical personnel and inadequate health infrastructure, making the response to the pandemic even more challenging.
The recommendations made in this thesis aim to strengthen the resilience of health systems. They include improving the communication of scientific evidence to policymakers to guide public health choices. Indeed, better communication could enable more efficient resource allocation and a quicker response to future crises. This also involves enhanced collaboration among various health actors, including NGOs, governments, and international organizations.
It is imperative that decision-makers take these recommendations into account to prevent health systems from being overwhelmed during future epidemics. Public health in West Africa depends on the ability to learn from past crises and implement strategies that ensure continuous access to care, even in times of crisis. The resilience of health systems is not only a matter of responding to a crisis but also of preparedness and maintaining essential services.
In conclusion, Yao Konu's thesis raises crucial questions about the future of health systems in Africa, particularly in the context of health crises. Togo, like other countries in the region, must urgently strengthen its capacities to ensure that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are not forgotten. Establishing resilient health systems is essential to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable access to care, regardless of the circumstances. This requires a strong commitment from governments, international partners, and civil society to build a future where the health of all is a priority.
Données clés
- 70% : pourcentage de la population togolaise infectée par le SARS-CoV-2, illustrant l'ampleur de la pandémie.
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Sources et accès
Yao Konu. Résilience des systèmes de santé face aux grandes épidémies en Afrique : cas de l’impact de la COVID-19 sur la prise en charge des maladies prioritaires au Togo. Médecine humaine et pathologie. Université de Bordeaux, 2024. Français. ⟨NNT : 2024BORD0346⟩. ⟨tel-04957485⟩