Invest in health sector to tackle future health emergencies, report warns

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the Federal Government and other West African countries has been tasked to reactivate invest plans for the health sector for future health emergencies.

This is one of the recommendations of a research report commissioned by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), launched yesterday in Abuja.

According to the report, by investing in institutional preparedness, healthcare system and process reform, health financing, research, human capacity, community engagement, and support for vulnerable populations, West African countries can build resilient health systems capable of safeguarding the well-being of their populations during times of crisis.

Launching of the report was part of activities marking a two-day event titled “Regional Multi-stakeholder Consultative Forum: Strengthening Public Health Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Enhancing Vaccine Access and Justice in West Africa”.

In her remarks, Convener of the event, Omolara Balogun said the study examined the state of and preparedness of public health systems in 10 West African countries amidst the challenging backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the findings from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Cape Verde, reveal a region grappling with historic and emerging health crises, compounded by the devastating impact of the recent pandemic.

She therefore asked leaders of the aforementioned countries to urgently revisit the commitment to allocate at least 15% of annual budgets to the health sector as provided in ‘the Abuja Declaration’ adopted in 2001.

This, she submitted, will strengthen the subregion’s health systems and ensure their preparedness for disease outbreaks.
On her part, the Executive Director, Centre For Accountability and Inclusive Development(CAAID), Aanu Rotimi, emphasised the need for West African countries to prepare better for the next post COVID-19 era.

She called on civil society organisations to come out of their comfort zones and ensure that all stakeholders are part of this ecosystem.

“There is no way we can prepare without investment. We must continue to produce local content, policy and how we plan our policies, our activities and as Civil Society which are committed to continue to engage with all stakeholders, the donors , the government, regional level, local level and national to ensure that all the investments are effective and able to deliver what we prepare for”, she stated.