Submission ID 118299
| Issue/Objective | Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is essential for achieving global health equity, ensuring access to quality services without financial hardship. In Africa, progress toward UHC has been hampered by fragmented governance systems and limited multisectoral collaboration across sectors like health, education, finance, and social protection. This scoping review examines governance models and multisectoral collaboration frameworks implemented in African countries between 2014 and 2024, identifying enablers, barriers, and lessons learned. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | A comprehensive scoping review methodology was used to systematically map existing literature on UHC governance and collaboration frameworks. Peer-reviewed articles and grey literature were retrieved from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. Only English-language papers were included. Eligibility criteria prioritized documents describing governance models or collaboration frameworks aimed at improving UHC outcomes. Data extraction focused on governance typologies (centralized, decentralized, hybrid), sectors involved, methods of collaboration, and outcomes. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns, trends, and gaps in the literature. |
| Results | Several governance models were identified, including Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) frameworks that integrated planning and resource allocation across health and non-health sectors. Hybrid governance models showed promise in balancing centralized oversight with localized implementation. Key enablers of collaboration included strong political commitment, intersectoral accountability mechanisms, and shared financial strategies. Barriers such as resource constraints, political instability, and siloed operations persisted. Notable successes included improved healthcare access and financial protection in select contexts, though disparities in outcomes highlighted the need for equity-focused governance. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This review underscores the importance of multisectoral synergy and context-specific governance in advancing UHC in Africa. Recommendations include adopting SWAp models, strengthening resource integration, and addressing structural inequities. Future research should explore multilingual literature to ensure comprehensive evidence coverage. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria / The Nigerian Economic Summit Group Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria / The Nigerian Economic Summit Group |
