Why Africa Needs More Doctor of Public Health Administrators

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Introduction   

Despite being home to over 1.4 billion people and immense cultural and scientific potential, Africa struggles with a fragile healthcare system. Chronic shortages of skilled workers, limited infrastructure, and recurring health emergencies expose structural weaknesses in public health leadership. To change this narrative, Africa needs more Doctor of Public Health Administration (DPHA) professionals who lead, mentor and educate with a real-world, systems-thinking approach to public health.   

The Health Workforce Crisis in Africa   

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies Africa as the region with the most severe health workforce shortages. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo struggle to maintain a minimum ratio of 4.45 health workers per 1,000 people.   

This crisis is exacerbated by:   

• Brain drain: Skilled professionals migrate in search of better opportunities.
• Underinvestment: Health training institutions are underfunded and overstretched. 
• Poor retention: Low salaries, limited growth, and burnout drive attrition. 

Efforts to expand Africa’s public health capacity may fall short without strategic leadership, mentorship, and robust training in Africa’s   

What is the Doctor of Public Health Administration (DPHA)?   

The Doctor of Public Health Administration (DPHA) is a professional doctoral degree tailored for senior-level public health leaders. While it shares similarities with the DrPH, the DPHA places a sharper focus on leadership, management, mentorship, policy design, and education in real-world settings.   

Key roles of DPHA graduates include:   

• Designing and managing health programs
• Leading national and regional public health systems
• Teaching and training future public health professionals
• Connecting public health policy with practice
• Conducting applied research to inform health strategies   

In contrast to a PhD (which emphasizes research), the DPHA is all about implementation, strategy, and leadership, which is a perfect match for Africa’s current needs.   

Why Africa Needs More Doctor of Public Health Administrators   

For any healthcare system to succeed, it is Africa’s strong administrators who understand policy, planning, operations, and community engagement. The DPHA prepares graduates to:   

• Develop scalable public health strategies for diverse populations 
• Optimize resource allocation and financial management in health programs 
• Engage stakeholders at all levels, from rural communities to ministries of health 
• Drive health reforms with evidence-based decision-making 
• Respond to emerging challenges such as pandemics, climate-related health risks, and non-communicable diseases 

Africa’s health transformation depends on visionary leaders who can manage and innovate DPHA graduates that perfectly fit Africa.

The Role of Mentors in Public Health Transformation   

Mentorship is the backbone of professional growth. However, many African public health graduates cannot access expert mentors who can support them in navigating real-world difficulties.   

Mentors are critical because they:   

• Help shape careers and build confidence 
• Transfer wisdom and institutional knowledge 
• Enable smoother transitions from academia to practice 
• Encourage ethical leadership and collaboration   

A DPHA graduate with leadership skills and hands-on experience is well-positioned to serve as a mentor who inspires, supports, and uplifts the next generation of African public health professionals.   

Educators: Catalysts for Knowledge Transfer and Innovation   

The importance of public health educators cannot be overstated. Universities and training institutions in Africa face a chronic shortage of qualified educators, resulting in outdated curricula and underprepared graduates.   

DPHA-trained educators:   

• Bring real-world insights into the classroom
• Develop contextualized curricula aligned with regional health needs
• Guide research that informs local policy and practice
• Drive innovation in teaching, including digital health education and community-based learning
• They are not just lecturers but changemakers who redefine how public health is taught and practised.   

Building a Pipeline: Training the Next Generation   

Africa must invest in structured pathways that nurture undergraduate and doctoral talent to ensure a strong public health future. This means:   

• Expanding access to accredited DPHA programs across the continent
• Providing scholarships and funding support to remove financial barriers
• Building mentorship and internship pipelines that integrate theory with practice
• Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between medical schools, public policy, and business   

Digital transformation also plays a role. Online and hybrid DPHA programs can help professionals in remote or underserved areas upskill without leaving their communities.   

Overcoming Barriers to DPHA Education in Africa   

While the need is great, challenges persist in scaling DPHA education in Africa:   

Current barriers include:   

• Limited availability of DPHA programs   
• High tuition fees without adequate financial aid   
• Weak research and training infrastructure   
• Unclear career pathways post-graduation   

Potential solutions:   

• Develop affordable online and part-time programs tailored for working professionals
• Establish public-private partnerships to support scholarships and infrastructure
• Align curricula with local and national health priorities 
• Encourage governments to recognize and absorb DPHA graduates into key leadership roles 

By addressing these gaps, Africa can unlock the full potential of the DPHA qualification.   

Policy Recommendations and Future Outlook   

Policy and institutional reforms are essential to building momentum for the DPHA and strengthening Africa’s health leadership pipeline.   

Key recommendations include: 

• Integrate DPHA-trained professionals into national health strategy documents. 
• Offer incentives for DPHA graduates to work in rural or underserved regions. 
• Support the creation of centres of excellence in DPHA training within African universities.
• Facilitate cross-border collaboration for research, policy exchange, and peer learning. 
• Encourage African ministries of education and health to formally recognize the DPHA as a vital credential in the health sector.   

What is the long-term impact? A self-sufficient Africa with a robust health workforce ready to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.   

Conclusion   

Africa does not just need more health workers to transform today’s leaders into tomorrow’s shape systems, educate future professionals, and advocate for sustainable health policies. The Doctor of Public Health Administration (DPHA) is the key to realizing that vision.   

By empowering more administrators, mentors, and educators through the DPHA pathway, Africa can take ownership of its health future, moving from dependence to leadership and vulnerability to resilience. Investing in DPHA education is not merely an academic endeavour but a strategic imperative for the continent’s health and development.