WHO Advocates Enhanced Revenue Collection To Alleviate Out – Of – Pocket Health Expenditures
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged a rise in revenue collection to ease the out – of – pocket expenses impacting 10% of the worldwide population accessing health services.
Dr. Francis Ukwuije, WHO Technical Officer for Health Financing and Public-Private Partnerships/Universal Health Coverage Life-Course Cluster in Nigeria, delivered this message during the 7th annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ).
In his presentation titled “Health Financing for UHC and Health Security in Nigeria,” Dr. Ukwuije highlighted that 10% of the health-seeking population bears 60% of the total health expenditure, personally funding their health-related needs
Many individuals risk their daily income and livelihood to cover unpredictable and substantial health bills. Dr. Ukwuije emphasized the importance of raising sufficient and sustainable revenues to ensure efficient and equitable access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly in Nigeria.
He stressed the need to manage revenues effectively to pool health risks in an equitable manner, ensuring the allocation of resources and purchasing health services in an efficient and fair manner. UHC, he noted, is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the questions and answers session, Dr. Ukwuije mentioned WHO’s support for Nigeria’s health financing to provide quality services at an affordable cost, emphasizing that additional government efforts are required to enhance these initiatives.
“Goal 3, Target 3.8 ensures all people have access to needed key promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health services of good quality at an affordable cost without the risk of financial hardship linked to paying for care.”
He emphasized that health financing is not just about the amount spent on health but also about where the money comes from and how financing is structured.
