Discussing the financing of universal health coverage with Ministers of Finance, Planning and Budget, development partners and civil society at the World Bank Spring Meetings.

As Githinji Gitahi of Amref Health Africa said, “We must all agree on a common definition of universal health coverage.”

We must focus on primary health care. We must focus on efficiencies from health financing. Let’s prioritize high return investments in health such as immunization, nutrition, health promotion to reduce #NCDs, skilled birth attendants etc. We must devote additional resources to health care financing. Investing in healthcare is not just a human right, it’s also smart economics.

Finance ministers can use smart instruments to raise additional revenues. Excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages.