Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- Africa's healthcare systems have made remarkable strides in recent years.

With advancements in medical technologies and an increasing number of highly skilled professionals, the continent has witnessed a steady transformation in its health infrastructure.

Countries are increasingly looking to expand and modernise their local healthcare systems to offer more advanced treatments for their citizens.

Many leaders have publicly hailed these reforms, encouraging citizens to trust local healthcare services.

However, many African heads of state have done the exact opposite when it comes to their own health.

Despite promoting local treatment, several African presidents have sought medical care abroad, often in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

This trend of seeking medical treatment overseas, even as leaders advocate for homegrown solutions, has been a constant in Africa's political and health narratives.

Some of these leaders, unfortunately, passed away while receiving medical treatment outside their home countries, further amplifying concerns over the accessibility and quality of healthcare within Africa.

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler turned president, died in London on July 13, 2025, at age 82, following a prolonged illness.

His death occurred after a long period of illness that had seen him travelling to the UK multiple times for treatment.

He first seized power in a 1983 coup and, thirty years later, became the first opposition candidate to win Nigeria’s presidency in a fair election, serving from 2015 to 2023.

His tenure was marked by an anti-corruption drive, modest gains against Boko Haram, but also economic turmoil, worsening insecurity, and controversial crackdowns on protests.

Buhari’s body was flown back and buried in Daura, Katsina state, on July 15, with full military honours, during a seven-day period of national mourning.

Former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, aged 68, died on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa, where he was undergoing surgery after battling a rare oesophageal condition.

Lungu served from 2015 to 2021, known for ambitious infrastructure projects but also facing rising debt and allegations of authoritarianism.

Political tensions between him and successor Hakainde Hichilema persisted after he lost office in 2021 and was barred from another run in 2024.

Former Zambian president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, aged 59, died on August 19, 2008, at Percy Military Hospital in Clamart near Paris, France.

Mwanawasa's hospitalisation came after suffering a stroke during the African Union summit in Egypt on June 29, 2008, and being evacuated for treatment.

A lawyer by training and Zambia’s third president from 2002 to 2008, leading a vigorous anti-corruption campaign, secured debt relief, and boosted economic growth, though poverty remained widespread.

His death triggered a seven-day national mourning, and his body was flown back home with a state funeral held on September 3, 2008.

The former Zambian president, known as “King Cobra” for his fiery rhetoric, died on October 28, 2014, at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London from an undisclosed illness, aged 77.

A former police officer, railway worker, taxidermist, and trade unionist turned politician, Sata forged a populist path through Zambia’s political landscape, founding the Patriotic Front in 2001 after splitting from MMD.

He won the presidency in 2011 on pledges to combat corruption, create jobs, and challenge foreign influence, particularly Chinese investment.

Health issues kept him out of public view for months, and he frequently travelled abroad for treatment, attended by wife Christine Kaseba and son Mulenga.

His death triggered constitutional succession where Vice President Guy Scott became acting president, the first white leader in modern sub-Saharan Africa, until elections within 90 days.

Former Guinea-Bissau President Malam Bacai Sanhá, aged 64, died on January 9, 2012, at Val-de-Grâce military hospital in Paris, after weeks of medical treatment.

A long-time diabetic, Sanhá had previously sought care in Dakar and Paris amid growing concern over his health.

A veteran of Guinea-Bissau’s independence struggle and a prominent figure in the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), he served as interim president in 1999 and was elected in 2009 following the assassination of João Bernardo Vieira.

His presidency represented a rare moment of constitutional order in a country frequently rocked by coups and political violence.

Following his death, National Assembly President Raimundo Pereira was sworn in as interim leader, with elections constitutionally mandated to take place within 90 days.

Former Gabonese president Omar Bongo Ondimba died of a heart attack on June 8, 2009, at a private clinic in Barcelona, Spain, where he had been undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.

At 73, he was Africa’s longest-serving leader at the time, having held office from 1967 until his death.

His health condition was initially shrouded in secrecy, with officials first claiming he was on a rest visit before later acknowledging his illness.

Following his death, Gabon closed its borders and declared 30 days of national mourning.

His remains were flown back to Libreville on June 11, where thousands paid their respects before a state funeral on June 16, attended by numerous African leaders and French dignitaries.

One of Africa’s most influential leaders, the former Ethiopian prime minister, died on August 20, 2012, in a hospital in Brussels at age 57 after battling an undisclosed illness and sudden infection.

Rising from medical student to rebel commander, he helped overthrow the Derg dictatorship in 1991, then led Ethiopia, first as president, then as prime minister, until his death.

Under his two-decade rule, Ethiopia became one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, thanks to major infrastructure, education, and health reforms.

Zenawi elevated his country onto the global stage, acting as a key partner in counter-terrorism and climate diplomacy.

His death triggered national mourning and a swift constitutional transition, with Deputy PM Hailemariam Desalegn taking over leadership.

Former Gabonese leader Gabriel Léon M’ba died of cancer on 28 November 1967 in Paris while undergoing treatment, aged 65.

Born in Libreville in 1902, M’ba rose from modest beginnings in colonial administration to become Gabon’s first Prime Minister (1959–1961) and later its first President (1961–1967).

A member of the Fang ethnic group, he played a central role in steering Gabon to independence in 1960 but soon concentrated power around himself, sidelining opposition and governing effectively as a one-party ruler.

His presidency faced a brief military coup in 1964, which was reversed within days following French military intervention.

Re-elected unopposed in March 1967 while receiving treatment abroad, M’ba never returned to Gabon alive.

Upon his death, Vice-President Albert-Bernard Bongo succeeded him under constitutional provisions.

The former Nigerian president died on May 5, 2010, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja after a prolonged illness involving kidney and heart complications.

A physicist-turned-politician from Katsina, he led Nigeria from 2007 until his death and was the first civilian to democratically succeed another civilian president.

Yar’Adua’s health struggles began in late 2009 when he travelled to Saudi Arabia for treatment of pericarditis, triggering a constitutional crisis that led to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan temporarily assuming leadership under the “doctrine of necessity.”

He returned to Nigeria in February 2010 but remained largely out of public view and never fully recovered.

Following his death, the nation observed a seven-day mourning period. He was buried in his hometown of Katsina with full honours.

A long-serving leader often described as one of Africa’s “big men,” died on 22 December 2008 in Conakry, following a prolonged illness linked to diabetes and leukaemia, after years of frequent medical trips abroad.

Conté seized power in a military coup in April 1984 following the death of President Sékou Touré and ruled Guinea for 24 years.

His tenure saw a gradual shift from socialist economic policies to a liberalised economy backed by the International Monetary Fund and the introduction of multiparty politics, though elections were widely criticised as flawed.

His death was formally announced by the Speaker of the National Assembly, and 40 days of national mourning were declared.

A military coup followed hours later, with state institutions dissolved. He was buried on 26 December in his native village of Lansanya.

As earlier reported, a dispute over former Lungu’s burial led his family to abandon the planned burial in Lusaka and instead opt for a private ceremony in South Africa.

The impasse began after President Hakainde Hichilema’s government declared a state funeral and national mourning, only for the family to reject repatriation and insist Hichilema attend neither funeral nor view the body, citing Lungu’s final wishes.

South African authorities respected the family’s request, but the Pretoria High Court halted the burial just as it was about to take place, pending further hearings.

Source: TUKO.co.ke