Nigeria proposes new deadline for universal health coverage

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Nigeria's minister of health has proposed 2020 as the year African countries should target for the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) in the region. 

 
He said this while speaking at the first joint conference of AU Ministers of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO), in Luanda, Angola.
 
"If year 2020 is set as a dateline many countries will work hard to implement it," Chukwu said.

He said the target would enable African countries to put in place modalities toward the achievement of UHC.

He said: "Setting the dateline is to encourage countries implement the UHC. If year 2020 is set as a dateline many countries will work hard to implement it.

"The 2020 dateline does not necessarily mean that countries will be compelled to achieve UHC, but it is to ensure that there is a time frame which all countries must work toward implementing UHC.

"We cannot just work blindly without setting a target.

"The aim of the UHC is to ensure equal access to health care, breaking financial barrier and ensuring quality care."

Responding to Nigeria's proposal, Ghana, Rwanda and other countries opposed the recommendation saying many African countries have their peculiar challenges. They said that 2020 was too close for many African countries to attain the UHC. The proposal was however accepted by Namibia, Senegal and Republic of Congo accepted Nigeria's proposal.

Luis Sambo, the African Regional Director of the WHO, said the interest exhibited at having a set target demonstrated commitment to achieve the UHC in African.

"I think a timeframe should be set so that countries will be in the process of achieving universal health coverage," Mr. Sambo said.