End of the Ebola virus outbreak: time to reinforce the African health system and improve preparedness capacity

Abstract

In December 2015, World Health Organization declared the end of the West African Ebola outbreak that infected and killed many residents. African governments should use the current low per capital health spending, rapid globalization, and the likelihood of a similar outbreak in the future, as the impetus to improve preparedness capability. The return of investment in public health infrastructure strengthening include accelerated economic development, prompt response capability, improvement in life expectancy, increase economic activity and growth, and preventing premature deaths.

Keywords

• ebola outbreak
• health systems preparedness
• return on investment