Universal Health Coverage in East Africa
“Only when countries ensure equitable access to, and full utilisation of, quality healthcare services, will theybe able to meet their health and development goals. We need to accelerate innovative service deliveryapproaches which can be scaled up for both easy and hard-to-reach populations. This will ensure everyone isgetting the services they need everywhere and every time.” - Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, Sustainable Development Goal Coordinator, WHO AFRO
Check the key figures, healthcare provisions and business opportunities available in the East African region providing Universal Health Coverage.
Kenya
According to the Kenya Vision 2030, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is more than just eliminating the out-of-pocket expenditure; it is also about ensuring access to quality healthcare. This means that capacity in both structural and resource must be increased to handle the needs of the population.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s 4th Health Sector Strategic Plan (2015-2020) provides for a new health financing strategy aimed at helping the country achieve Universal Health Coverage, by addressing this complex and fractured health insurance market.
Uganda
The Ugandan government has signed onto several international protocols aimed at increasing citizens’ access to good quality care and increasing financing to the health sector. Such protocols include the Common African Position on the post-2015 development agenda, the UN’s SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) as well as the Abuja Declaration (2001) where it commits 15% of its budget to improving the health sector.
Rwanda
Rwanda is the country with the highest enrolment in health insurance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The implementation of health insurance schemes is guided by the National Health Insurance Policy (NHIP) of Rwanda.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is making promising progress towards UHC. Established on the gains already made, Ethiopia is taking practical actions that enable the state to move towards UHC rapidly. Attaining UHC by 2035 is the direction for Ethiopia’s health sector development through guaranteeing access to all the essential services, for everyone in need, while providing protection against financial risk.
