By Oluwasegun Aina
Stakeholders, at 11th Biennial Conference of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), canvased journalists’ support for effective delivery of Universal Health Coverage.
In her keynote address, an Indian Health Consultant, Dr. Jaya Charni said over one hundred and twenty countries had been reached out to in order for people of the world to adequately be part of their health care initiative and thereby helping to keep democracy going in health and humanitarian areas.
According to her: “It enables people to have information for useful choice while variable information is only formulated by journalists with good intentions for news coverage to people’s doorsteps.”
She posited that Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone were great beneficiaries on African continent.
“Universal health coverage (UHC) means everyone has access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
“UHC protects people from out of pocket health expenditure and reduces the risk that people will be pushed into poverty because the cost of needed services and treatments require them to use up their life savings, sell assets, or borrow – destroying their futures and often those of their children.
“At the heart of UHC are skilled health care workers who are equitably distributed and adequately supported with access to quality medical supplies.
“UHC remains distant for much of the population because globally, health service coverage has not improved since 2015.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, coverage became further compromised in a staggering 92% of countries. Most have yet to restore health services to pre-pandemic levels.”
She added: “WHO estimates that about 4.5 billion people in 2021 did not receive the full range of essential health services.
“Faith-based organizations (FBOs) deliver a significant proportion of essential health services through primary health care – the backbone of UHC – in sub-Saharan Africa. A strategic partnership between health professionals, FBOs and journalists can focus public attention on UHC and push decision makers in government and civil society to invest adequately to meet the target of UHC by 2030, as stated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
The conference which took place at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja on Thursday also featured religious leader, Father Onah, who described the role of Christans and worship centers as panacea and ouright tools for Universal Health Coverage which is realistic when adequate information reached Christan faithful.
“There is no community without worship centers. In fact, the high rate of worship centers in contemporary society is undisputed.”
He called for proper information dissemination to Christian faithful by journalists.
The conference ended with interactive section as Sierra Leonian journalist Jaya spoke about transborder media relations among journalists.
He further sought workable ideas from Nigerian Journalists for effective Universal Health Coverage.
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