Treat healthcare as an investment, not a budget cost – Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African governments and investors to fundamentally change the way they approach healthcare financing, arguing that health must be treated as an investable economic sector rather than a social expenditure to be funded only when resources are available.
President John Dramani Mahama has urged African governments and investors to reevaluate their approach to healthcare financing, advocating for a shift in perspective that treats health as an investable economic sector rather than merely a budget cost. Addressing the Health Plenary of the Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt, Mahama emphasized that investment in health is crucial for the continent's economic transformation, human capital development, job creation, and macroeconomic stability.
He stressed that for too long, African nations and global investors have mistakenly viewed healthcare as a social expenditure to be funded only when budget resources allow, rather than an essential component of a high-growth economic sector. Mahama highlighted the economic returns from healthcare investment, citing studies that demonstrate targeted basic emergency maternal and newborn care can generate significant economic and social returns for every dollar invested.
He also referenced research indicating that reductions in mortality have contributed substantially to income growth in developing economies. Mahama argued that a robust health sector not only enhances citizens' well-being but also bolsters national economies, urging stakeholders to recognize health investment as a vital element of Africa's economic future.
Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
