Management of Universal Health Coverage in Cameroon

Abstract

Universal Health Coverage, (UHC), has proven to be an undeniable political and very ambitious health agenda aimed at ensuring that everyone has access to basic quality health care services irrespective of their socio-economic status and geographical location. The UHC concept is of upmost importance in Cameroon considering the very high levels of out-of-pocket health expenditures and fragile health systems. Achieving UHC in Cameroon will not only increase the life expectancy of Cameroonians but it will also increase the economic output of the country. Although Cameroon has set in place targets and agendas aimed at providing UHC to her citizens, they’re far from being implemented. With the country having a huge pool of informal workers coupled with the high level of mistrust citizens have for the governments Community-based health insurance, (CBHI), the concept of UHC in Cameroon remains more of a theoretical than practical phenomena. To cost effectively achieve UHC; aside increasing trained health care professionals, intersectoral collaboration between government authorities, civil society organizations like non-governmental organizations, community health workers, religious and cultural stakeholders should be prioritized.