African nations are advancing towards sustainable health financing by implementing innovative strategies, legislative reforms, and inter-ministerial collaborations, as highlighted at the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly.
The Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly featured a significant side event on financial sustainability in African health systems, co-hosted by major global health organizations including the Global Fund, African Union (AU), and Gavi. Representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania presented their strategies for long-term health financing. An article titled ‘Charting the future of financial sustainability in African health systems‘ published in Aidspan, an independent observer of the Global Fund highlights key takeaways fro Africa.
Key Discussions:
- Innovative Strategies and Collaboration: The event underscored the importance of inter-ministerial collaborations and innovative financing strategies. Representatives emphasized legislative anchors, community health initiatives, and digitalization as pivotal for sustainable health financing.
- Country-Specific Approaches:
- Kenya highlighted the enactment of four new health-related Acts of Parliament and the deployment of over 100,000 community health promoters.
- Rwanda showcased its National Health Insurance Scheme, which has evolved to ensure widespread access to healthcare.
- Côte d’Ivoire focused on domestic resource mobilization and universal health coverage.
- Tanzania emphasized its transition to domestic resource financing and collaborative policy formulation.
- Nigeria detailed its national health insurance model aimed at reducing high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.
- Mozambique proposed specific taxes and social health insurance to boost health financing.
Donor Perspectives:
- Peter Sands of the Global Fund and Dr. Mamadi Yilla from the US State Department highlighted the necessity for African nations to take control of their health financing and reduce reliance on donor support.
This event marked a pivotal step towards achieving financial sustainability in African health systems, emphasizing the need for innovative, integrated approaches and strong partnerships to ensure long-term health outcomes.
