WHO to FG: Increase investment in health sector

The World Health Organisation Sunday called on the Federal Government to significantly increase investment in the health sector.

In a statement to mark this year’s global Universal Health Coverage Day, WHO Nigeria Country representative, Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said doing so would   relieve households of the heavy burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health which is still above 70 percent.

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The global Universal Health Coverage Day is marked December 12 every year. The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Leave No One Behind, Invest in Health Systems for All.’

“This takes into cognizance evidence-based decisions and practical steps in population coverage on essential health services, and financial protection from poverty due to illness and access to healthcare,” he said.

 “As we come close to the end of another remarkable year, there is a huge opportunity to take stock of the dividends of health and healthcare provided to our people by articulating the annual state of the health report in line with the National Health Act 2014. 

“This will not only showcase the achievements and progress made so far but will be useful in laying bare key challenges and areas where improvement would be needed,” he said.