Zacharie Tsala Dimbuene

By Zacharie Tsala Dimbuene, Tilahun Haregu, Raphaël Muanza Nzuzi and Paul-Denis Nzita Kikhela

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to face adverse maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes compared to other regions of the world. Previous research showed that SSA countries did not reach Millennium Development Goals (MDG)-4 and MDG-5. To further our understanding of levels and correlates of MCH outcomes, numerous studies have focused on socioeconomic factors, both at individual, household, and community levels. This chapter adopted a different approach and emphasized the role of leadership at regional, national, and local levels to improve MCH outcomes in SSA countries. Overall, the chapter demonstrated that without an enlightened leadership, SSA countries will be lagging behind SDG-3 targets. Additionally, evidence to guide policymaking in most countries is lacking mainly due to lack of sound data to specifically meet the needs of policymakers. There is an urgent need to focus on Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation. To achieve this goal, a crucial shift in leadership is compulsory.

Part of the book: Maternal and Child Health

By Zacharie Tsala Dimbuene and Severin Mabanza Matondo

In spite of young populations, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is lagging behind on several development indicators. Yet, previous research introduced the concept of “demographic dividend” to showcase how a country can capitalize on its population age structure to boost its economic growth, which could ultimately mitigate social inequality. To reap the demographic dividend, a country should implement major and drastic policies, including those necessary to shift its population age structure. Indeed, demographic studies showed that change in population age structure is the prerequisite to reap the demographic dividend. The proximal factors mediating its effects built upon the “enabling environment,” including policies in health, education and economics, and governance. Of course, enablers are all important; however, this chapter answers the following question: What should be the gradient among all factors in the enabling environment? The main argument is that governance, referred to as strong leadership and an enlightened vision, is the most important factor in the enabling environment. Without a significant shift in leadership in sub-Saharan Africa, no miracles could be expected and, likely, most SSA countries will not reap demographic dividend.

Part of the book: Bridging Social Inequality Gaps - Concepts, Theories, Methods, and Tools [Working title]