The managing director of the Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr Omokhudu Idogho, has said that investing in health is imperative for economic growth and poverty reduction.

Mr Idogho said this in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja in commemoration of 2024 World Health Day.

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated annually on April 7 under the sponsorship of WHO as well as related organisations.

The theme for the 2024 edition is “My Health, My Right.”

According to Mr Idogho, health care is a right for everyone, whether rich or poor.

He said that in view of this, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) would deliver better health outcomes and ensure that the rights of every citizen were respected, irrespective of country or region.

He also said that the theme for the year reflects SFH’s commitment to ensuring that communities have access to quality, affordable and available healthcare services.

He said for the SFH, achieving UHC and equity was central to reaching the global goals by 2030 as well as boosting shared prosperity.

According to him, everyone should have access to affordable, quality health services.

“Our commitment is universal, and we are putting more investment towards expanding access to vital services for poor women and children.

“This investment has been through many models that serve our different customers.

“Through strong support for national and local leadership and long-term commitment, we invest more than is required to achieve and sustain UHC,” he said.

He also said no one should be forced into poverty or kept in poverty to pay for the health care they need.

Mr Idogho said that lots of Nigerians were forced into poverty because of out-of-pocket health care costs.

He said SFH was working closely with various governments to ensure that it advocates for and provides evidence-based data that shows a basis for enacting policies that redistribute resources and reduce disparities in access to affordable and quality care.

He also said that countries must harness investments in other sectors beyond health, which provides the essential foundations for a healthy society.

“Achieving UHC requires solutions beyond the health sector, including investments in people, like education and social protection, roads, water and sanitation, and information technology.

“Strengthening the quality and availability of health services depends not only on highly skilled professionals but also on community and mid-level workers who constitute the backbone of primary health care.

“So at SFH, we are working with diverse partners to ensure that we close the disparities in accessing healthcare services,” he further said.

WHO chose the theme ‘My Health, My Right’ to champion the right of everyone, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education, and information.

It is also to ensure that everyone has access to safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. 

(NAN)