Women in Global Health’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Champions 2025
Universal health coverage (UHC) is essential for accelerating gender equity in global health because it directly tackles the structural barriers that prevent women and girls from realizing their right to health. When designed and financed in a gender-responsive way, UHC can expand access to quality, affordable services across the life course while reducing the catastrophic out-of-pocket costs that push women and their families deeper into poverty. UHC also creates an opportunity to recognize, protect, and fairly pay the predominantly female health and care workforce, protect women from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) in the workplace, and ensure women’s full and equitable participation in health decision-making. For Women in Global Health, UHC is not just about service coverage; it is a pathway to transforming power, resources, and accountability in health systems so that women in all their diversity can speak, lead, and decide on health decisions that affect their lives.
Women in Global Health’s UHC Day Champions (2025)
The following seven exceptional women have been nominated by Women in Global Health for their leadership in advancing UHC.
WGH Kenya
1) Naila Chebet Koech: Public Health Practitioner & Mental Health Advocate
Naila Chebet Koech is a passionate public health practitioner and mental health advocate dedicated to expanding equitable access to community-based health services in Kenya. As Mental Health Lead at Stowelink Foundation, she integrates mental health promotion with NCD prevention and early detection for youth and underserved populations. She has trained more than 600 young people through interactive sessions, including at Zetech University, empowering them to recognize stress, identify warning signs, and seek support. Her outreach extends to informal settlements such as Githurai, where she leads community engagement, screenings, and awareness campaigns. Through her work, Naila is strengthening the foundation of UHC by reducing stigma and ensuring that marginalized communities are not left behind in Kenya’s health agenda. Her work reflects a holistic, people-centered vision of inclusive health for all.
2) Jamila Waiganjo: Community Health Promoter, Makongeni Ward – Nairobi County, Kenya
Jamila Waiganjo is a committed Community Health Promoter advancing UHC at the grassroots level in Makongeni Ward, Nairobi County, Kenya. She focuses on maternal and child health, encouraging pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics and deliver under skilled care. Jamila ensures women are registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access affordable and continuous care, and collaborates with the Child Welfare Clinic to improve child immunisation coverage. Her dedication to preventive care and inclusive access reflects true leadership toward achieving health for all.
3) Jecinta Muthoni Mbugua: Community Health Promoter, Murang’a County, Kenya
Jecinta Muthoni Mbugua is a dedicated Community Health Promoter working to advance UHC in Murang’a County. She plays a critical role in preventing, detecting, and managing NCDs, particularly hypertension and diabetes, among older adults who face barriers to continuous and affordable care. Through home visits and community dialogues, she promotes healthy living, routine screening, and adherence to treatment, helping reduce complications and out-of-pocket costs. She also champions GBV awareness and referral services for survivors. Jecinta’s work reflects UHC’s vision that every person can access the care they need without stigma, exclusion, or financial hardship.
WGH Burkina Faso
4) Dr. Aicha Nicole Joëlle Millogo: Medical Doctor, Ziniaré District Hospital; Program & Evaluation Lead – WGH Burkina Faso
Dr. Millogo is a general practitioner with more than six years of experience in community health engagement. At WGH Burkina Faso, she is both the Chapter’s treasurer and programme and evaluation manager. Dr. Millogo has contributed to promoting women’s leadership in health and improving equitable access to healthcare, especially for women and vulnerable groups, through awareness campaigns and breast cancer screenings reaching hundreds of women. “As a pediatric practitioner at the district hospital in Ziniaré, I help save lives daily by ensuring children receive equitable access to quality care. UHC is essential for reducing inequalities, protecting the most vulnerable, and strengthening public trust in the health system.”
Dr. Aicha Nicole Joëlle Millogo: Médecin généraliste – Hôpital de district de Ziniaré ; Responsable Programmes & Suivi-évaluation – WGH Burkina Faso
Dr. Millogo possède plus de six ans d’expérience dans l’engagement communautaire au service de la santé publique. Au sein de WGH Burkina Faso, elle contribue à promouvoir le leadership féminin en santé ainsi qu’à améliorer l’accès équitable aux soins, notamment à travers des campagnes de sensibilisation et de dépistage du cancer du sein ayant bénéficié à des centaines de femmes. « En tant que médecin en pédiatrie à Ziniaré, je contribue chaque jour à sauver des vies en garantissant un accès équitable à des soins de qualité. La CSU est essentielle pour réduire les inégalités, protéger les plus vulnérables et renforcer la confiance de la population dans le système de santé. »
5) Habibou Ouedraogo: Health Economist, Ministry of Health; UHC Focal Point & Advocacy Lead – WGH Burkina Faso
Habibou Ouedraogo works with the CHAI Burkina Faso supporting the MOH to improve working conditions and payments for 17,000 community health workers, while strengthening supervision and performance systems. She has also contributed to UHC financing reforms, including digitization of public finance in more than 100 health facilities, improving transparency and resource efficiency. As UHC focal point for WGH Burkina Faso, Habibou advocates for inclusive and gender-responsive health policies. “As a health economist committed to UHC, I work to reduce barriers to care by promoting gender-responsive policies and supporting the Ministry of Health to build a more equitable and resilient system. UHC means ensuring that cost, distance, or discrimination never prevent anyone from accessing quality care.”
Habibou Ouedraogo: Économiste de la santé – CHAI Burkina Faso Point focal CSU & Responsable Plaidoyer – WGH Burkina Faso
Habibou Ouedraogo travaille au de l’ONG CHAI Burkina Faso où elle soutient le Ministère de la Santé dans l’amélioration des conditions de travail et du paiement des 17 000 agents de santé communautaire, ainsi que dans le renforcement du système de supervision et de formation. Elle a également travaillé sur la digitalisation des finances publiques dans plus de 100 structures sanitaires, afin de rendre l’allocation des ressources plus transparente et efficace. En tant que bénévole au sein de WGH Burkina Faso, elle plaide pour des politiques de santé plus inclusives et sensibles au genre. « En tant qu’économiste engagée pour la CSU, je contribue à réduire les barrières d’accès en soutenant des politiques plus équitables et en renforçant un système plus résilient, avec les agents communautaires en première ligne. La CSU garantit qu’aucun coût, aucune distance, ni aucune discrimination n’empêche une personne d’accéder aux soins.
WGH Nigeria
6) Dr. Emmanuella Zamba: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Nigeria
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba is a distinguished public health leader with over 30 years of service in strengthening the Lagos State health system. Under her leadership, LASHMA has expanded equitable access to digital and community-based services, pioneered the EkoTelemed telemedicine platform, and introduced innovative insurance schemes tailored for vulnerable and informal sector populations. She has established capacity-building initiatives, introduced regulatory reforms, and led resource mobilisation efforts including EkoSHA to ensure coverage for indigent residents. Through strategic governance and transformative health financing reforms, Dr. Zamba has significantly advanced the state’s progress toward UHC.
7) Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam: Commissioner for Health, Kwara State, Nigeria
Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam is a transformational health leader driving UHC reforms in Kwara State. She has strengthened tertiary care through the establishment of KWASUTH, expanded access through renovation and solarisation of health facilities, and championed mandatory health insurance for civil servants. Her leadership has improved service delivery, expanded access to previously underserved populations, and earned national recognition, including top rankings in Nigeria’s Health Preparedness Index. A strong advocate for health literacy, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam has launched innovative public education campaigns and continues to champion equitable health financing and resilient systems at state and national levels.
