According to the WHO, health equity is "the absence of unfair, avoidable, or remediable differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically, or by other dimensions of inequality such as sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation" [25]. Social determinants of health are circumstances in which people are born, grow, live and work that influence health [25]. They encompass economic factors, social factors, political, economic factors, environment, etc. Social determinants strongly influence health and health equity as they can create a background for health disparities [25, 26].

Every person should be able to achieve optimal health without discrimination based on ethnic group, race, religion, or other affiliation. A nation's prosperity depends on its population's health; a healthy population culminates into productive workers and increased revenue for the country through active service [26, 27]. Health equity comprises more than just health distribution and healthcare provision; it also encompasses broader issues of justice and fairness in social institutions [28, 29].

Infectious and parasitic diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in low- and middle-income nations, particularly in Africa, and the epidemiological transition is slowly taking place [30]. In remote areas across Africa, infrastructures such as healthcare facilities are lacking, and where they are present, skilled healthcare workers are scarce and typically concentrated in large cities [31]. The socioeconomic, cultural, political, ethnic and racial factors that influence the difference in health outcomes in Africa contribute to the poor-rich health gap between and within the African region.

Many people at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder have limited options and opportunities to avoid being unwell and avoiding long-term disability and premature death linked with bad health conditions [29]. The gap between the rich and the poor in Africa lingers, and various factors such as education, gender, and poverty play a massive role in health disparities [26, 30]. Poverty severely impacts families, limiting access to health care services and increasing out-of-pocket costs, pushing families deeper below the poverty line [32, 33]. Because most national health insurance plans are ineffective, catastrophic medical expenses are unavoidable [34, 35]. This is a major concern because why should a person suffer to achieve excellent health, and how can public health be properly practised if the necessary resources are only available to the wealthy? As a result, increasing health equity remains a top priority for efficient and successful public health practice that cannot be overstated [36].

Ethnic factors in Africa also play a role in health inequity as indigenous populations, mostly pastoralists and nomads, who reside in hard-to-reach areas, have little or no access to health care. Hence, high morbidity and mortality are recorded among this group [37].

Furthermore, the right to equity of health and non-discrimination is critical to realizing the right to health within the international human rights framework [29]. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are still prevalent in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa that have been left behind by socioeconomic development. As a result, these diseases are indicators of extreme poverty and unfairness, exacerbated by the political, economic, social, and cultural institutions that influence health and wellbeing. This shows an urgent need to address such vulnerable groups' needs to achieve Sustainable Development Goals [38].

Health inequity across Africa shows that a thorough and systematic approach is needed to address the challenge so that no one is impeded from realizing their full potential because of their social status or other socially determined situations. Is achieving health equity possible in Africa? This is a startling question that one must examine because it appears to be impossible.