Ghana's Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called on African nations to increase domestic investment in their healthcare systems. This move aims to reduce reliance on external funding and accelerate progress towards health sovereignty. Mr. Akandoh delivered this message on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the African Union Ministerial Meeting on Health in Accra on Tuesday, July 21.
The Minister stressed that the continent must take greater responsibility for financing resilient health systems. These systems must be capable of meeting the diverse needs of its people. He highlighted that self-financing is essential for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) across Africa.
This push for domestic financing aligns with broader economic trends in Ghana and across Africa. Many nations are seeking to reduce their dependence on foreign aid and build more sustainable economic models. Investing in health infrastructure and services is seen as a critical component of long-term economic development and stability.
Mr. Akandoh acknowledged Africa's significant strides in combating infectious diseases. He noted that new HIV infections have declined by nearly 60 per cent. AIDS-related deaths have also fallen by more than 50 per cent across eastern and southern Africa over the past generation. Despite these successes, the continent still faces substantial health challenges.
Africa accounts for almost 70 per cent of global maternal deaths. It also lags behind the rest of the world in access to essential health services. The continent's Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index stands at 44, significantly lower than the global average of 71. This disparity leaves millions without access to affordable healthcare.
Minister Akandoh emphasized the economic burden of inadequate healthcare. He stated, "When healthcare pushes families deeper into poverty, we cannot honestly claim we have achieved universal health coverage. We have simply shifted the burden from illness to debt." This situation underscores the urgency of the African Union Roadmap to 2030 and beyond.
The Minister urged African leaders to move beyond mere declarations. He called for concrete actions to increase domestic health financing. This includes adhering to the principles of the Abuja Declaration, which was endorsed in 2001. The declaration advocates for African countries to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to improve the health sector.
Furthermore, Mr. Akandoh advocated for strengthening local production of medicines and vaccines. He also called for harmonizing regulatory systems and building resilient supply chains. Reducing dependence on imported health technologies is crucial for improving preparedness for future health emergencies. This strategy aims to ensure that Africa's health systems are increasingly financed by its own predictable, sustainable, and domestically generated resources.
Recommendations from this ministerial meeting are expected to inform discussions among African Heads of State. These deliberations will guide the continent's roadmap towards achieving Health Sovereignty by 2030 and beyond. The focus remains on creating robust, self-sufficient health systems that can withstand future challenges and provide equitable access to care for all citizens.