The Federal Government has requested innovative solutions to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in Africa, since the continent has slowly progressed towards the achievement of UHC, with the average service coverage index from 23 to 2000 to 44 in 2021.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call to the African Health Business Symposium (AHB) in Abuja, noting that Nigeria’s commitment to guarantee equitable, affordable and quality medical care for all is captured in the investment initiative of the health sector.
He highlighted the progress of Nigeria in the expansion of health insurance coverage, the revitalization of primary health centers and the promotion of local manufacturing of essential medicines.
Salako, however, acknowledged that the challenges persist, including subset, the Suboptimal Health Insurance Subscription and high pocket expenses.
He emphasized the need for a mobilization of strengthened resources, innovative financing mechanisms and private sector participation to achieve UHC.
Salako also highlighted the importance of taking advantage of innovation for resistant health systems, investing in pharmaceutical value chains and diagnosis and facing emerging threats such as climate change and future pandemics.
He expressed optimism that the symposium would provide a platform for brainstorming and develop solutions to support African countries in the achievement of UHC by 2030.
The minister asked to build a continent where no child dies from preventable disease, no mother gives birth for fear, and each African has the right to health and hope of a healthy future.
Also speaking, MSD’s managing director for South Africa and the Sub -Saharan Africa region, Zweli Bashman, said the company is committed to supporting African nations in their efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
Mkhize said that, despite the progress made since the launch of the global strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the elimination of cervical cancer five years ago, the region has been left behind in the achievement of its objectives. “In 2022, Africa represented 23% of world cervical cancer mortality, with 19 of the 20 countries with the highest load located in sub -Saharan Africa,” he said.
Nigeria said Mkhize, has the greatest number of cases of incidents and deaths from cervical cancer in Africa, with an estimate of 12,075 new cases and 7,968 deaths annually. “12,000 cases a year are not just statistics; they represent lost lives, the impacted families and the devastated communities,” he emphasized.
Mkhize praised the Nigerian government for introducing the HPV vaccination program and establishing the National Working Group for Cervical Cancer (NTF-CCE).
He, however, emphasized that more must be done to accelerate the elimination process. “We need innovative solutions and an approach to the whole society that involves all sectors: public, private and civil society.”
MSD has pledged 115 million doses of its HPV vaccine to low and medium -sized countries, including many in Africa, through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, by 2025. The company remains committed to supporting African nations in its efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
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