UHC has been included in the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. Most African countries have integrated UHC as a goal in their national health strategies.
However, the progress in translating these commitments into expanded domestic resources allocation for health, and ultimately, equitable and quality health services and increased financial protection has been too slow.
Investment in Africa’s health systems is vital if the continent is to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.
According to the World Bank, Africa’s population is estimated to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. The region will face a critical challenge of creating the foundations for long-term inclusive growth.
At the moment, many countries still contend with high levels of child and maternal mortality, and most health systems are not able to deal effectively with epidemics and the growing burden of chronic diseases, such as diabetes.
These challenges call for accelerated progress toward embracing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), whose principle is that everyone receive needed health services without financial hardship.
The World Health Organisation set aside 12th December as UHC Day to commemorate the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality health care to every person, everywhere.
UHC has been included in the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. Most African countries have integrated UHC as a goal in their national health strategies.
However, the progress in translating these commitments into expanded domestic resources allocation for health, and ultimately, equitable and quality health services and increased financial protection has been too slow.
Countries that achieve their UHC targets by 2030 will need to eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths, strengthen resilience to public health emergencies, reduce financial hardship linked to illness, and strengthen the foundations for long-term economic growth.
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, since 2013 major improvements have been realised in some health indicators. Deaths of children below five years have declined from 74 to 52 per 1,000 live births and infant deaths from 52 to 39 per 1,000 live births.
In addition, maternal deaths have come down from 488 to 362 deaths per 100,000 live births translating to 2,000 mothers saved from pregnancy and childbirth related death annually.
Through the free maternity services programme, Kenya has doubled deliveries in health facilities from 600,323 in 2013 to 1.2 million in 2016 and increased primary healthcare use from 69 per cent in the financial year 2013/2014 to 77 per cent in 2015/2016 as a result of foregone user fees.
Realising universal health coverage, and the health-related SDGs, will not be possible, however, without community health workers becoming an integral part of sufficiently resourced health systems.
Community health workers close the gap between communities and the formal health system.
They have a very important role in referral, health promotion and prevention at the community level. Their effective involvement leads to significantly better health outcomes.
Community health workers provide health education and referrals for a wide range of services, and provide support and assistance to communities, families and individuals with preventive health measures and in gaining access to appropriate curative health and social services.
Another prerequisite for achieving UHC is SDG target 3c that aims to substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce – especially in developing countries.
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