West African States and Private Sector Renew Commitment to Universal Health Coverage in West Africa with USAID Support

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: July 6, 2023 - Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Coverage Pierre Dimba, USAID Country Representative Shawn Jones, and various stakeholders including heads of government, health care providers, and representatives of the private sector renewed their commitment to universal health coverage in West Africa at the USAID-supported High Level Policy Conference (HLPC) organized by the West Africa Private Healthcare Federation (FOASPS). The conference, themed "Advancing Public-Private Dialogue to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in West Africa," took place July 6-7, 2023, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire with the aim of unifying stakeholders in the private health sector and enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality in West Africa.

“USAID’s strategic partnership with the West Africa Private Healthcare Federation empowers private healthcare federations across nine countries,” said Shawn Jones, USAID Country Representative in Côte d’Ivoire. “Through this forum, we hope to foster an environment of collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility and facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices, leading to informed decision-making and the development of effective strategies for advancing UHC.”

USAID recognizes the significance of fostering public-private dialogue as a catalyst for achieving UHC in the region. The conference provided participants an opportunity to share successful experiences, propose solutions, and explore partnerships. These experiences will accelerate progress towards UHC - a goal underlined by the participation of senior government representatives at the conference.

UHC ensures that everyone has access to quality health services without facing financial hardship. The conference reflects USAID's mission to improve global health and supports FOASPS in unifying the private health sector and strengthening public-private partnerships for sustainable development. Through the USAID-funded project, Journey towards Sustainability, USAID assists FOASPS and its member federations to become sustainable and autonomous associations, representing the voice of the private sector in political dialogues.

Meeting participants recognized the power of collaboration and the importance of dialogue between the public and private sectors to drive transformative change in the health sector. The HLPC serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and the formulation of strategies to advance UHC and improve health outcomes in West Africa.