World Bank to disburse $70M to advance universal health coverage project in Togo
Friday, 12 March 2021 18:22 
(Togo First) - The World Bank has approved $70 million (CFA38.5 billion) to enable Togo to take an important step towards expanding health coverage to its entire population, which until now was reserved for public servants.
In a press release sent to Togo First, the Bretton Woods institution says that it wants, through this support, "to help Togo lay the foundations for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure that the population has access to quality health services."
It should be recalled that Togo is striving to achieve UHC. It recently launched the pilot phase for this project and it was managed by the INAM.
Universal health coverage should help improve access to basic health services through the construction and equipping of health centers. Also, it should allow more qualified human resources to serve the most disadvantaged regions. This is in a context where most households, especially the poorest, spend a lot on health services.
The main challenge will be "to generalize health coverage for a large part of the Togolese population, especially the most vulnerable citizens, pregnant women, and children," says the Washington-based institution.
Moreover, "the project will help boost human capital in the country by helping Togo to make a significant leap towards achieving its development objectives contained in its National Health Development Plan," notes Hawa Wagué, World Bank Resident Representative for Togo.
Last November, let’s recall, the Togolese government adopted a bill on universal health coverage.
Séna Akoda
