As African governments continue investing in hospitals, medicines and healthcare infrastructure, a Nigerian public health advocate is warning that one of the continent’s greatest health challenges remains largely overlooked: the lack of health education and pharmaceutical awareness among ordinary citizens.
Favour Clement Idara, a public health advocate with a background in Chemistry (Pure and Applied) and certifications in pharmaceutical and community health awareness, says poor health literacy continues to undermine efforts to improve healthcare outcomes across Africa despite significant advances in medicine and technology.
According to Idara, many preventable illnesses continue to claim lives not because treatment is unavailable, but because people often lack the knowledge needed to recognize symptoms early, seek timely medical attention and use medications correctly.
“Healthcare is not only about hospitals and medicines. It is also about ensuring people understand how to protect themselves, prevent disease and make informed decisions about their health,” she said.
Her remarks come at a time when African countries are grappling with a double burden of infectious diseases and rising cases of non-communicable illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
Idara argues that health education should be treated as a frontline public health intervention rather than an afterthought.
Across many communities, she noted, misconceptions about diseases, cultural beliefs and misinformation continue to influence health decisions, often leading to delayed treatment and avoidable complications.
She identified self-medication as one of the most serious public health concerns facing developing countries. The widespread purchase and use of antibiotics without medical prescriptions, she said, has accelerated antimicrobial resistance, a phenomenon experts describe as one of the greatest threats to global health.
“When medicines are misused, they gradually lose their effectiveness. This is not only a problem for individuals but for entire health systems,” Idara said.
She warned that unless governments strengthen public awareness campaigns and improve regulation of medicine use, drug-resistant infections could become increasingly difficult and expensive to treat.
The advocate also expressed concern about persistent gaps in public understanding of common diseases. Despite years of awareness campaigns, malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness in many African countries, while cases of hypertension and diabetes continue to rise as many people remain unaware of their risk factors.
According to Idara, prevention remains the most cost-effective healthcare strategy, but prevention can only succeed when communities are equipped with accurate information.
Mental health is another area requiring urgent intervention, she said.
Although awareness has improved in recent years, stigma surrounding mental health conditions continues to discourage many people from seeking professional support.
“Too many people suffer in silence because mental health is still misunderstood in many communities. Public education can help break these barriers and encourage early intervention,” she said.
Idara also highlighted the health challenges faced by women and girls, particularly in relation to reproductive health, maternal care and menstrual hygiene management.
She said improving health outcomes for women would require not only increased investment in healthcare services but also broader efforts to improve education and access to information.
The rapid growth of digital media has further complicated public health efforts. While online platforms have expanded access to information, they have also created fertile ground for misinformation and false medical claims.
Health experts increasingly warn that inaccurate information shared online can discourage vaccination, promote unsafe treatments and contribute to harmful health behaviours.
For this reason, Idara believes health communication must evolve to meet the realities of the digital age.
“People need information they can trust. Public health communication should be simple, accurate and tailored to the communities it serves,” she said.
She called on governments, healthcare professionals, educators, media organizations and civil society groups to work together to promote health literacy and pharmaceutical awareness at grassroots level.
Such efforts, she argued, are essential not only for improving individual wellbeing but also for strengthening healthcare systems and supporting economic development.
“A healthy population is the foundation of a productive society. The future of public health in Africa will depend on our ability to empower people with knowledge, not just provide treatment,” Idara said.
She added that health literacy should be viewed as a basic tool of empowerment capable of helping individuals take greater control of their lives and reducing the burden on overstretched healthcare systems.
“Health is not merely a service delivered to people. It is a shared responsibility. When people understand health, communities become stronger and societies become more resilient,” she said.
