The cost of healthcare is driving over 423 million people in the African Region into financial hardship, with more than 384 million pushed deeper into poverty.
This warning was contained in a message delivered by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025.
Under the theme, “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!,” Dr Janabi’s message underscored the crisis of out-of-pocket payments (OOP), which he called the region’s “most stubborn challenge” to achieving health equity.
On this UHC Day, I urge governments, partners, civil society, and communities to intensify reforms that will make health care truly affordable. Our priorities must include:
Increasing domestic health investment to reduce reliance on out-of-pocket spending.
Expanding universal prepayment and risk-pooling mechanisms, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable.
Strengthening primary health care, the most equitable and cost-effective pathway to UHC.
Investing in health workers, facilities, supply chains, and data systems, ensuring not only access, but quality. Centring equity to reach communities consistently left behind.
Enhancing transparency and accountability, using disaggregated data to track progress and direct resources where they are most needed. With new global and regional evidence guiding us, 2025 presents a critical window to advance financial protection reforms and accelerate progress toward health for all.
The WHO African Region remains committed to supporting governments with policy expertise, tailored technical assistance, and data-driven decision-making.
Let us translate commitment into action. Let us build resilient, inclusive and equitable health systems that protect people from financial hardship — systems that uphold dignity, expand opportunity, and ensure that every person can claim their right to health without fear of financial ruin.
On UHC Day 2025, we reaffirm our collective pledge: Health for All. No One Left Behind.
