EDWIN MOYO
Gweru- People living with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Zimbabwe have joined the global community in calling for their inclusion into the Universal Health Coverage package (UHC).
According to the World Health Organization, 74% of the global deaths are attributed to NCDs as well as the largest cause of disability contributing 4 out 5 disabilities adjusted in a life time.
In a statement, NCDs Zimbabwe Network director, Jacob Ngwenya said in recommitting to the agreements, countries were expected to receive funding for provision of quality health.
“In September 2019, at the United Nations, High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on Universal Health Coverage under the theme “Moving Together to Build a Healthier World” saw world leaders endorsing the most comprehensive political declaration on health in history.
” In endorsing the declaration, they recommitted to ensure that, by 2030, everyone in every country can receive all the quality health services they need without suffering financial hardships.
” As we all know figures don’t lie, so given the available statistics NCDs are a silent pandemic in slow motion affecting individuals, households, communities, nations and the globe at large.
“Back home we have experienced outrageous out of pocket expenses induced by NCDs treatment costs, driving individuals and families into a vicious cycle of poverty, thereby rendering NCDs to be not only a health challenge but also a developmental issue which also has a bearing on gender equity and equality” he added.
Ngwenya however appealed to the government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care to spearhead ease health access to all.
“As the NCDs community we appeal to the government to move from intention to action that will drive the UHC back on track. Everyone from everywhere in Zimbabwe should access the highest quality of healthcare services without suffering any financial hardship, no matter their economic standing.
“It is not only enough to make a commitment on Universal Health Coverage Political Declaration made at the global level without action at the local level will just be another unfortunate piece of a very good and well drafted policy framework which will gather dust as it lies idle on some bookshelf somewhere.
“With the government leading the pack of stakeholders which also include private sector, investment should pour into the UHC.
“I say domestic healthcare funding is the foundation of a vibrant and resilient health system. Allocating 15% of the national budget as enshrined in the Abuja Declaration is an entry point to a well funded healthcare system.
“The 15% allocation can be augmented by applying various innovations that include taxing of health harming products such as tobacco, alcohol, trans fats, ultra processed foods which are high in sodium or sugars, sugary products and not forgetting fossil fuels.” Ngwenya said.
However, research has revealed that, the failure by government to ratify the Abuja Declaration impacted negatively on health as the Ministry of Health and Child Care got 13% in the 2022 budget and further dropped down to 11% in the 2023 budget.
Meanwhile, the state of UHC Commitment came under the spotlight in 2023 during the second UN_HLM on UHC as it aims to provide a multi-stakeholder consolidated view on the state of global and commitments towards making progress on the UHC by 2030.
The convention sadly approaches as most countries including Zimbabwe are believed to be offtrack in achieving the set goals after falling short to some of the agreed targets in 2019.
