Sao Tome and Principe records second-worst health indicator decline in Africa
The nation's health system faces infrastructure and staffing challenges, exacerbated by rising non-communicable diseases.
São Tomé e Príncipe registered the second-largest deterioration in health indicators in Africa between 2016 and 2025, according to the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance. This decline contrasts with the continental trend, where 40 out of 54 African countries improved their health system performance during the same period.
Health Minister Celso Matos acknowledged the long-evident degradation, citing fragile infrastructure, a shortage of health professionals, and an increase in non-communicable diseases like stroke and diabetes. Financial limitations hinder the provision of adequate care for these conditions.
The minister identified urgent challenges including infrastructure, equipment, medical supplies, human resources, endemic malaria, the changing epidemiological profile, health financing, and the organization of the national health system, all requiring resource mobilization.
Why it mattersThe health of citizens in São Tomé e Príncipe is deteriorating due to systemic issues and rising non-communicable diseases.