Africa has made its case for greater health sovereignty. What comes next will determine whether Accra becomes a defining turning point or another well-intentioned moment without sustained follow-through.
At the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, I found myself carrying two feelings at once.
The first was fatigue. Much of what was said was true, urgent, and painfully familiar. Africa must finance more of its own health systems. Primary health care must be stronger. Medicines and vaccines must be manufactured...
Dr. William Menson
Dr. William Menson is the Director for Health Financing for Africa at ONE.
Out-of-pocket health payments in Africa have become one of the greatest barriers to equitable healthcare access. For millions of households, the cost of seeking treatment can mean the difference between recovery and financial hardship. In this article, William Menson, Director for Health Financing for Africa examines why these payments function as a hidden tax on the poorest families and what governments can do to reduce their impact.
Names have been changed for confidentiality.
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