Mother and child surrounded by healthcare symbols

Unlocking Better Health for Mothers and Children in Africa: How Smarter Spending Can Save Lives

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into Healthcare Efficiency and Financial Factors Influencing Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Africa"

Maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) is essential for global well-being, as highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, Africa faces significant challenges, with the highest MNCH mortality rates. For instance, in 2020, 287,000 women died, and in 2021, 5 million children died. These numbers highlight the urgent need to address healthcare system inefficiencies across the continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified regional imbalances in MNCH outcomes in Africa, indicating that healthcare systems are not performing optimally. To improve these outcomes, it's crucial to evaluate healthcare systems and identify areas for improvement. Recent research emphasizes enhancing healthcare performance, particularly in countries where weak leadership, corruption, and systemic issues hinder progress.

To tackle these issues, a recent study investigated the impact of healthcare system efficiency on delivering maternal, newborn, and child services in Africa. By assessing the efficiency of healthcare systems in 46 African countries, the study offers valuable insights into how financial factors influence MNCH outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of reassessing human resources and financial strategies to enhance healthcare system performance.

Why Healthcare Efficiency Matters for Maternal and Child Health in Africa

Mother and child surrounded by healthcare symbols

Healthcare efficiency is vital because it ensures that available resources are used effectively to achieve the best possible health outcomes. Inefficient healthcare systems can lead to wasted resources, inadequate services, and preventable deaths. By improving efficiency, African countries can make significant strides in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.

A recent study employed Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit regression to assess healthcare system efficiency in 46 African countries. This analysis identified that only 26% of these countries exhibited efficiency, highlighting that a significant 74% of countries have inefficiencies that need to be addressed. The study considered inputs such as hospital resources, medical staff, and outputs like maternal, newborn, and child admissions, cesarean interventions, functional competency, and hospitalization days.

Financial Determinants: Current health expenditures, comprehensive coverage index, and current health expenditure per capita have a negative impact on the efficiency of maternal-child services.
Resource Allocation: A significant proportion of countries exhibit inefficiencies, indicating a need for better resource management.
Policy Reassessment: Policymakers need to reassess human resources and financial dimensions to improve healthcare system performance.

The study revealed that financial determinants such as current health expenditures, comprehensive coverage index, and current health expenditure per capita negatively impact the efficiency of maternal and child services. This suggests that simply increasing spending without addressing underlying inefficiencies may not lead to improved outcomes. Instead, a more strategic approach to resource allocation and healthcare management is needed.

Moving Forward: Strategies for Improving Healthcare Efficiency

To improve healthcare efficiency in Africa, several strategies should be considered. Governments and policymakers need to focus on better resource allocation, invest in workforce training, and optimize healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, addressing issues such as corruption and weak leadership is crucial for creating a more effective and responsive healthcare system. By implementing these strategies, African countries can make significant progress toward achieving the SDGs for maternal, newborn, and child health, ensuring a healthier future for their populations.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) and why is it so important in Africa?

Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) encompasses the health and well-being of mothers, newborns, and children. It's a critical area of focus, particularly in Africa, because it directly impacts global well-being, as emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The high mortality rates in Africa, with figures like 287,000 maternal deaths in 2020 and 5 million child deaths in 2021, underscore the urgent need to improve MNCH services. Addressing issues in MNCH is essential for the overall health and development of the continent, contributing to a healthier and more productive population.

What are the key challenges hindering Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) in Africa?

Africa faces significant challenges in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH). One of the most prominent issues is the high mortality rates for both mothers and children. Healthcare system inefficiencies are another major obstacle, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has identified regional imbalances in MNCH outcomes. Weak leadership, corruption, and systemic issues further impede progress. These challenges lead to wasted resources, inadequate services, and preventable deaths, ultimately hindering the achievement of the SDGs related to health.

How does healthcare system efficiency impact Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) outcomes?

Healthcare efficiency is vital for achieving optimal Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) outcomes. Efficient healthcare systems ensure that available resources are used effectively to deliver the best possible care. Inefficient systems, on the other hand, can result in wasted resources, insufficient services, and preventable deaths. A recent study using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit regression revealed that only 26% of 46 African countries examined demonstrated efficiency, while the remaining 74% showed inefficiencies. This highlights a significant need for improved resource management and healthcare practices.

What financial factors negatively affect the efficiency of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services in Africa?

Several financial factors have been found to negatively impact the efficiency of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services in Africa. A recent study found that current health expenditures, comprehensive coverage index, and current health expenditure per capita all negatively affected efficiency. This suggests that simply increasing spending without addressing underlying inefficiencies may not result in improved outcomes. Instead, a strategic approach to resource allocation and healthcare management is needed to optimize the use of financial resources for the benefit of MNCH.

What strategies can be implemented to improve healthcare efficiency and, consequently, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) in Africa?

To improve healthcare efficiency and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) in Africa, several strategies should be considered. Governments and policymakers need to focus on better resource allocation, invest in workforce training, and optimize healthcare infrastructure. Addressing issues such as corruption and weak leadership is also crucial for creating a more effective healthcare system. By implementing these strategies, African countries can move closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for MNCH, ensuring a healthier future for their populations. This involves reassessing human resources and financial dimensions to improve healthcare system performance.