By Mohamed Macarthy
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) together with its implementing partners commemorated the International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on the 14th December, 2021.
This year’s commemoration which was held at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown aims to raise awareness about having strong and resilient world-class health systems across the globe with multi-stakeholder partners.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest in Health Systems for all”.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mohamed Sartie Kenneh gave an overview of UHC. He disclosed that the actual day that the United Nation had set aside for the commemoration of Universal Health Coverage globally is on the 12th of every December but because it fell on Sunday, commemoration was shifted to the 14th December.
Dr. Kenneh said that this day is a universal response to the global call for universal access to quality and affordable health care without causing any financial burden on citizens.
The Senior Health Economist for World Bank, Kofi Amponsah acknowledged that today is a universal health coverage day. He noted that UHC is about providing services to all people irrespective of their tribe, religion or region.
Amponsah added that every day around the world about one hundred million people go into poverty due to lack of affordable health services.
He said the situation needs to change forthwith with everyone having access to free, affordable and reliable health facilities. He noted that UHC holistically is about primary health care delivery which is very essential to every human being on earth.
Kofi Amponsah assured the Vice President of the Republic Sierra Leone, the Minister of Health and Sanitation and other key state actors within the ministry, of World Bank’s fullest support in strengthening universal health coverage across the country.
The Country Representative for World Health Organisation, Dr. Steven Velabo Shongwe said the event is an opportunity to review progress and identify gaps in ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can access the health care they need, close to where they live and without falling into financial hardship.
Dr. Shongwe added that many countries are demonstrating how primary health care-based systems are effective in empowering communities to choose healthier lifestyles, prevent diseases, access early detection, treatment and recovery services.
He noted that it is imperative for the government and people of Sierra Leone to commit to invest in primary health care to achieve UHC.
Foreign Commonwealth Development Office ,Country Representative, Kobi Bennley applauded the MoHS and the Government of Sierra Leone for their tremendous strides being made to actualise UHC within the country.
Bennley added that with the commemoration of UHC yearly and other strategic policies implemented by MoHs, the health sector will be well- equipped and fortified from any major disease.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby commended the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr.Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for his continued stewardship Dr. Demby spoke about recent improvements in the health sector , with Sierra Leone beginning to see modest positive trends on indicators.
He noted that progress in the health sector has been gradual but government is committed in supporting UHC.
The Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr.Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh as a keynote speaker said the government has committed its self to UHC.
The Vice President spoke about increased budgetary allocations to the health sector from 6% to 11.6%, although they are still four point short, of the Abuja’s declaration that clearly stated that all Sub-Sahara Africa Countries have to spend 15% of their GDP to heath sector.
Dr. Jalloh added that they believe as government that from now to 2023 they will attain that percentage.
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