By Hassan Zaggi
African countries have been advised to be innovative and tackle persistent challenges in order to achieve the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) target.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, gave the advice in a message to mark the WHO’s 75th Anniversary.
She further charged Member States and all stakeholders to play their roles in ensuring that political commitment is translated into evidence-based policies, strategies and plans.
“These, in turn, must receive the investment they require to be effectively implemented.
“Let us all renew our determination, strengthen our partnership and be innovative in our efforts to progress towards “Health for All” in Africa through stronger health services that offer holistic people-centered care to empowered and engaged communities,” she stressed.
Dr. Moeti, however, regretted that although most Member States in the African Region have integrated the attainment of UHC as a central goal of their national health strategies, progress remains varied in translating this progress into equitable and quality services as well as increasing financial protection for the population .
According to her, about half of Africa’s citizens (48%) – some 672 million people – still do not have access to the health care they need.
“This results from weak health systems characterized by inadequate health infrastructure; poorly designed policies to limit financial barriers to health services; shortage of qualified health workers; inadequate access to quality medicines, medical products, and innovative technologies.”
While noting that the COVID-19 pandemic, caused widespread disruptions to essential services, she, however, insisted that health system strengthening based on strong primary health care (PHC) is crucial to building back better and accelerating progress towards universal health coverage and health security.
“Financial investment in PHC oriented by the building blocks of health systems, particularly a health workforce, health infrastructure, medicines and health technologies, should be supported and guided by evidence .
“Ensuring additional investment to improve financial risk protection, addressing inequities, and building the resilience of national health systems in the post-COVID era are critical to our efforts to accelerate progress towards UHC in the African Region,” she said.
Dr. Moeti explained that 75 years ago, the WHO was founded with an ambitious objective, “the attainment of all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” The WHO Constitution, she reiterated, reinforces that objective: “The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and states.”
