The National Health Insurance Authority of Ghana WHO (Africa Region) organised the first regional conference on financing universal health coverage (UHC) and health security from 12 to 13 October in Accra, Ghana.
As powered by the NHIS and the WHO from October 12 to 13, 2023, the conference was on the theme, “Overcoming financial barriers and providing financial risk protection,” which marked the commencement of Ghana’s NHIS 20th Anniversary as well as the WHO 75th Anniversary.
The conference sought to promote multi-sectoral collaboration and foster partnerships between key stakeholders to ensure that no one is left behind in terms of universal access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
“Ghana’s NHIS has gotten massive international recognition but much more needs to be done to sustain it. Let’s keep expanding social health insurance schemes to ensure that populations are protected from catastrophic health expenditures.” Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Ghana’s Health Minister.
At the end of the 2 days of deliberations on possible ways of achieving UHC and health security in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), participants of the regional conference have resolved to commit themselves to policies and interventions that will help achieve political goodwill and secure adequate funding.
In the end, the stakeholders outlined innovations and pathways for African nations to mobilize more domestic resources for financing UHC and Health Security.
There was a strong call for increased investments in UHC and health security to achieve effective health systems in LMICs.
