Africa has highest diseases in the world – World Bank

By Umar Bayo Abdulwahab Ilorin

A World Bank Official, Dr. Khama Rogo, has said that Africa had the largest burden of diseases in the world, and the lowest in accessible healthcare delivery to its peoples.
Rogo, the Lead Health Specialist in Africa, World Bank Group, said this yesterday when he led offi cials of World Bank and Pharm Access on a courtesy call on the Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the Government House, Ilorin.
He attributed the current state of health in Africa to inadequate fi nances compared to its rapidly growing population and poverty level.
Th e Health Specialist, who identifi ed health fi nancing as the most important intervention in the health sector anywhere in the world, commended the Kwara state government for its plan to make the Community Health Insurance Scheme a state wide programme in line with the Universal Health Coverage.
Rogo expressed readiness of his group in supporting the state government in providing aff ordable and accessible healthcare delivery to the people of the state.
In his response, Governor Ahmed said the state would soon establish an agency to manage and fi nance its health insurance scheme on a sustainable platform.
According to him, the agency will be supported with personnel to drive the concept of fi nancing healthcare in the state.
Ahmed said the Community Health Insurance Scheme would draw support from private sector and create strong sense of trust in managing the scheme.
“One of the most critical issues of productivity is health, and it is imperative to deploy resources for improved productivity.
As we begin 2018 budgetary process, special attention will be given to health sector to complement what is being done in the Community Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
Ahmed said arrangements were in top gear to link the scheme with Kwara Resident Identifi cation Card with a view to making the state plan adequately for health service delivery and “make the state second to none in healthcare delivery in the country.

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