(Ecofin Agency) - The health sector remains a major development challenge for Senegal. According to the government, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program launched in 2015 has increased health insurance coverage from 20% to 75% between 2015 and 2023.

Senegal’s parliament approved a health budget of CFA271.62 billion (over $452 million) for FY2024. Official information relayed by the Senegalese Press Agency (APS) on November 19 showed that authorities will focus more on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) next year.

Health Minister Marie Khémesse Ndiaye said the 2024 program is aimed at steering, coordinating, developing, and implementing various action plans. These include funding and research in the health field, specialization scholarships, and the adoption of regulatory texts implementing the law on medicines and health products, among others.

The Minister also indicated that a review of the budget execution situation at the end of the third quarter of 2023 reveals an overall execution rate of 62.31% on a total budget of CFA272.47 billion ($454.5 million).

Similar to many African countries, health remains a significant development challenge for this West African nation. However, progress has been made in recent years by the Senegalese government to improve the accessibility and quality of the healthcare system. Notable initiatives include the "Ndamir" project in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which received a $31 million allocation in May for its third phase. The project aims to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and support the implementation of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) over 4 years.

According to government data, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program launched in 2015 by the Senegalese government has increased health insurance coverage from 20% to 75% between 2015 and 2023.