Africa Has Highest Diseases Burden in the World, Says World Bank Official

A World Bank official, Dr. Khama Rogo, on Monday hinted that Africa has the largest burden of diseases in the world and the lowest in accessible healthcare delivery to its citizenry

Rogo, who is the World Bank Group Lead Health Specialist in Africa, dropped the hint in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, when he led officials of World Bank and Pharm Access on a courtesy call on the  state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the Government House in Ilorin.

The bank official attributed the current state of health in Africa to inadequate finances compared to its rapidly growing population and poverty level.

The health specialist who identified health financing as the most important intervention in the health sector anywhere in the world, commended the state government for its plan to make the Community Health Insurance Scheme a statewide programme in line with the Universal Health coverage.

Rogo expressed readiness of his group to support the state government in providing affordable and accessible healthcare delivery to the people of the state

In his response, the state Governor, Ahmed, disclosed that the state would soon establish an agency to manage and finance its health insurance scheme on a sustainable platform.

According to him, the agency will be supported with personnel to drive the concept of financing healthcare in the state.

Ahmed explained that 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 the 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 stated.

Ahmed however said  arrangements were on top gear to link the scheme with Kwara State Resident Identification Card with a view to making the state plan adequate for health service delivery and make the state second to none in healthcare delivery in the country.