Africa struggles with the double burden of disease, bearing the highest disease burden in the world and also having the most severe health workforce shortage. Only four countries on the continent meet the WHO-recommended density of 4.45 health workers per 1000 people. This physician shortage has been attributed to a variety of factors including shortfalls in medical education and medical schools' capacities. This commentary aims to reveal the gap and ‘underrated’ problem of inadequate medical schools and poor utilization of existing ones. Recommended solutions calling for the need for urgent improvement in medical education in Africa are highlighted in the paper.

Medical school

Africa

Physician shortage

Healthcare

Medical education

© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IJS Publishing Group Ltd.