Stakeholders in Taraba State have united to advocate for universal health coverage, stressing that no family should be driven into poverty because of medical expenses. The recently launched Taraba Universal Health Coverage Forum in Jalingo aims to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all residents of the state. Participants highlighted that the high cost of essential services and medicines remains a major barrier to quality care.
Globally, over 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year due to healthcare-related expenses, while approximately 800 million lack access to essential health services. Dr. Danjuma K. Adda, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Initiative Development, convened the forum and called for urgent reforms. “No family should be driven into poverty due to medical expenses,” he said. “We must work together to build a health system that protects all residents of Taraba from financial hardship when they seek care.”
The forum unveiled a declaration outlining the state’s commitment to improving healthcare access, strengthening service delivery, and shielding residents from the financial burden of medical care. The declaration emphasizes the need for an equitable, inclusive, and responsive health system. Key challenges identified include high out‑of‑pocket costs, long distances to facilities, transportation difficulties, poor health‑worker attitudes, and weak referral systems.
Dr. Adda urged the enactment of laws and policies that protect citizens from unaffordable healthcare costs while prioritizing equity in service delivery. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Harmony Chufor, praised the initiative as timely and impactful, stating, “Healthcare should not be a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right for all.” Representatives from the World Health Organization, the State Health Service Management Board, and civil‑society organizations also expressed support, pledging collaboration to address barriers to healthcare access.
The Taraba UHC Forum represents a unified approach to tackling systemic challenges in healthcare delivery. Through sustained advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy dialogue, the forum aims to build a resilient health system that leaves no one behind. For residents of Taraba State, the forum’s launch offers renewed hope for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable healthcare future.
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