WHO assessment sheds light on Central African Republic’s shattered health system

Tumult in this landlocked country was so extensive in the spring of 2014 that officials were not sure how much of its health system was actually functioning.

“The entire health-care delivery structure in Central African Republic, has been heavily disrupted, and basic services are completely absent in many locations,” says Dr Michel Yao, WHO’s Representative to the country. “Most of the services are being provided from outside, making it difficult to scale up, reach people in need, and provide them with medical assistance. One key problem is that so many health workers have fled their posts due to the insecurity.”