By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As the World Health Organization, WHO, closes its 76th Anniversary , the global health organization has noted that increased Universal Health Coverage, UHC, intervention is needed to close up the health care needs gaps and health inequalities the vulnerable groups face.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti made this call on Sunday at the close of the 76th Anniversary of the global health body.
Meoti said, “Health is not only a fundamental human right, but also central to peace and prosperity. Thus, addressing health inequities requires intentional efforts. ”
“Considerations of vulnerable groups must be assessed. Their needs ought to be purposively integrated into health programmes at all levels to accelerate progress toward UHC.”
“The right to health is a universal right of all human beings, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status.”
“We know that many in our region still need help with access to quality essential health services due largely to unfulfilled rights.”
‘This is further compounded by protracted and ongoing crises such as conflicts, climate change, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and epidemics, she emphasized.
The WHO Regional Head, however ,commended countries for their efforts so far in improving the quality of lives to populations, and better health outcomes in the past seven decades and the next 75 years.
“Through reforming their health policies and revamping legislative and regulatory frameworks, including National Health Insurance Schemes, NHIS, and Social Health Insurance , SHI, schemes to reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditures.”
“Several countries have started operationalizing an integrated Life Stages Approach, which prioritizes the health of individuals at every stage of their life and the care needed at any time.”
Within this period, Moeti stated, more mothers and children are surviving today than before.
“The life expectancy of African women between 2000 and 2020, increased from 54 to 67 years; the maternal mortality ratio decreased by 33% (from 788 to 531 maternal deaths per 100 000 lives), and the number of children dying before the age of 5 was reduced by 50% from 2000 to 2017.”
“Between 2011 and 2021, the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths decreased by 44% and 55%, respectively, across Africa, and the number of TB deaths decreased by 26%.”
Furthermore, several diseases are on the verge of eradication and elimination, including polio, guinea worm disease, as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus, she noted.
As we close the celebrations today, the theme for World Health Day 2024, “My Health, My Right” is appropriate to recall how we increased the rights of our region’s people through health, Moeti emphasized.
