Nairobi hosts the First African Health Data Forum as WHO finds gaps in recording deaths

10 November 2026

The First African Health Data Forum opened in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, bringing together health ministers and senior officials.
A World Health Organization (WHO) report launched there found serious gaps in Africa's health information systems.
Of the 40 countries assessed, only 19 said authorities are notified of at least eight in ten deaths.
Just 21 record a cause for at least eight in ten registered deaths, and only 18 per cent have a dedicated budget for health information systems.
On the positive side, 43 of the 47 countries in the WHO Africa Region use a digital platform for routine health data.
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said missing data means the most needy people can be overlooked.
The forum also discussed how digital health and artificial intelligence can strengthen health data.