Achieving universal health coverage inSub-Saharan Africa through the reformation of mental health financing

Insufficient financing is limiting mental health services for universal health coverage (UHC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Without ambitious steps to enhance mental health services, UHC will fall far below its historical agenda; however, adequate mental health financing could strengthen governments’ capacity to provide additional budgetary resources. This paper aims to identify potential strategies for more equitable and sustainable mental health financing in SSA. Using Uganda as a key example, we provide a contextual analysis and highlight current gaps. We draw parallels with successful countries and discuss recommendations for engagement from the global mental health community. This perspective focuses on health systems, mental disease burden, and macro-fiscal situation. Drivers of fiscal space for health indicate prospects to boost mental health budgets for socioeconomic development. Governments should conduct consistent mental health investment cases and expedite fiscal space for aggressive taxation to health reforms.