Life-saving hospitals - A role in UHO for Africa. Building health Dreams.

There has been significant improvement in health in Sub-Saharan Africa due to global commitment such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, progress has been slow due to the double burden of diseases which is affected by weak health systems. The Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) with one of its targets of Universal Health Coverage ((UHC) emerges as a transformation in fighting health challenges. This article addresses how effective hospital services are as an essential component of achieving SDGs and UHC in Africa. However currently, hospitals in the region are overwhelmed with shortage of staff, limited health infrastructure and poor efficiency. Countries need to establish core hospitals strategy to ensure that people centered services is accessible to all. In addition, the WHO Africa Region foresees an approach of improving health systems including hospital services by: a) Increasing technical investments in the development and creation of national health polices, strategies and plans including hospitals as part of services delivery strategies. b) Providing technical guides and standards c) Implementing essential package of services in primary health care d) Improving information collection on hospital catchment areas. Furthermore, countries will need to increase the capacity of hospitals to train health workers, improve management of hospital operations and efficiency. It is critical for African countries to strengthen all aspects of hospital services which can then position the region in achieving the SDGs and UHC.