The Independent Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) Commission has unveiled the State of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa Report.
It is a comprehensive document that maps the progress of African countries toward their Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
The executive summary of the report was released on the first day of AHAIC 2021, a biennial convening of health ministers, private sector leaders, civil society and representatives from multilateral organizations taking place virtually from March 8 to March 10, 2021.
It highlights the progress made by African countries towards realising Health for All and details the challenges and opportunities faced by countries on their journeys to UHC.
The document also provides key recommendations for transformative change, which African countries should adopt to accelerate progress towards UHC.
Compiled between November 2020 and March 2021, the State of UHC in Africa report takes stock of Africa’s progress in fulfilling commitments made by African leaders, such as the Abuja Declaration (2001), the Africa Health Strategy (2007-2015, 2016-2030) and the Addis Ababa Call to Action on UHC (2019).
It acknowledges the impact of colonial legacies, poor governance, and economic challenges on the continent’s health policies and outcomes and details the performance of African countries on key UHC indicators, including effective coverage with needed health services, financial risk protection and health outcomes.
According to the report, Africa’s health systems are poorly attuned to meet the health care needs of the poor, the disabled and other vulnerable groups, with coverage of essential health care services in Africa being decidedly low.
Speaking after the launch of the report, Dr Githinji Gitahi, Global CEO, Amref Health Africa, said: The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out the glaring gaps in African, and global health systems and made a strong case for the urgent achievement of UHC.
While progress towards achieving Health for All has been slow, the current reality has reinvigorated countries’ efforts to ensure better access to quality, affordable health care.”
“Through the State of UHC in Africa report and AHAIC 2021, we are hoping to provide a realistic roadmap that will guide African countries on their journeys to UHC and to ramp up support for greater multi-stakeholder collaboration across the continent.
“This is so that we can move from rhetoric to sustained action,’’ Gitahi had said in a statement.
In addition to the launch of the report, the first day of AHAIC 2021 also saw attendance from H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya.
In his opening remarks, Kenyatta acknowledged the progress made towards Africa’s vision of a continent free of poverty, ignorance and disease.
He urged African countries to consider seven priority areas to anchor their health policies and programmes, including giving greater priority to primary health care; increasing access to health care services; making health care more affordable; harnessing Africa’s innovative energy and creativity; strengthening health sector collaboration; improving health security and increasing political will towards UHC.
Also in attendance was Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO, who noted the COVID-19 pandemic’s role in highlighting the centrality of health to the social and economic wellbeing of African nations.
The WHO D-G called on leaders to boost their nations’ capacities to enhance disease prevention and preparedness to mitigate the impact of disease outbreaks through greater political commitment.
