Africa, most disease prone continent, says World Bank

A World Bank official, Dr Khama Rogo, has described Africa as the most disease prone continent with the largest burden of diseases in the world.
He made this observation on Monday when he led officials of World Bank and Pharm Access on a courtesy call on the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the Government House, Ilorin.
Rogo, who is the World Bank Group Lead Health Specialist in Africa, said also that the continent was the lowest in accessible healthcare delivery to its citizenry.
He attributed the current state of health in Africa to inadequate finances compared to its rapidly growing population and poverty level.
He further identified health financing as the most important intervention in the health sector anywhere in the world.
The World Bank official commended Kwara state government for its plan to make the Community Health Insurance Scheme a statewide program 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, 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 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 added.
Ahmed said arrangements were in top gear to link the scheme with Kwara Resident Identification Card.
This, he said would enable the state to plan adequately for health service delivery and make the state second to none in healthcare delivery in the country.