How Universal Health Coverage Can Increase Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Need to Integrate Sexual and Reproductive Health Care into National Health Coverage Sexual and reproductive health and rights Universal Health Coverage Political Declaration on Universal Health (SRHR) are an integral part of the right to Coverage states that UHC “is fundamental Universal health coverage (UHC) offers health for all. [...] Availability and affordability of a wide and reproductive health-care services, health promotion to prevention, treatment, range of health services are also critical including for family planning…and the inte- rehabilitation, and palliative care across the for achieving equality and ensuring that 3 gration of reproductive health into national life course.” needed care is accessible to all. [...] The following interventions make up the essential package of SRH services, as defined by the Guttmacher–Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in 2018: Guttmacher–Lancet Commission ■ Comprehensive sexuality education The 2018 report by the Guttmacher–Lancet Counselling and services for a range of modern contraceptives, with Commission on Sexual and Reproductive ■ a defined. [...] This approach is in line with the UN Political Declaration on UHC, which ■ Information, counselling and services for subfertility and infertility “Reaffirm[s] the importance of national ownership and the primary role and ■ Information, counselling and services for sexual health and well-being responsibility of governments…to deter- mine their own path towards achieving universal health coverage, i. [...] Continue to invest in research and data to track progress and remaining gaps, and IPPFAR/Guttmacher Institute 6 to demonstrate the health, economic and Governments: Ensure a robust monitor- UHC development, from conceptualisation social benefits of incorporating SRH ser- ing, evaluation and learning framework to to implementation, to ensure buy-in and vices into national UHC schemes.