What steps have been taken to work towards universal health?
- Chloe Chang
- Jul 23, 2024
- 2 min read
What is universal health? Universal Health Coverage, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is when everyone has access to the full range of quality health services
that are needed, without financial strain. The WHO also cites Primary Health Services as the
most effective/cost-efficient method of establishing strong, efficient, and equitable health systems.
In order to support Primary Health Services, “all sectors of society contribute to confronting the environmental and socio-economic factors that affect health and well-being, including preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies” (WHO).
Though this may be seen as a lofty goal, SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 3.8 was created for the purpose of universal health coverage. Currently, there are 2 billion people that face financial hardships when paying for out-of-pocket expenses for medical purposes. Unfortunately, for many, “getting health care has meant first paying a fee—a practice that burdens the sick and those in the greatest need. For many, it also means choosing between their own health or financial ruin” (WBB).
Therefore, what are the ways that we can reach this goal? World Bank Blogs states “There isn’t one single model to achieve universal health coverage: steps can be taken in different ways.”
So far, according to World Bank, 24 countries have implemented universal health coverage reforms.
The programs, altogether, cover over 2 billion people, and are “fundamentally changing the way health systems operate. Each of the programs aims to overcome a legacy of inequality by tackling both financing and provision gaps” (World Bank Blogs).
In the future, there are many areas that countries can work towards: “substantial public sector
investment and accelerated action by governments and development partners are essential. Key actions include a radical reorientation of health systems towards a primary health care approach, advancing equity in health-care access and financial protection, and investing in robust health information systems” (WHO).
I believe that there is much room to grow and develop for these countries, and in order to reach SDG 3 that we need to put a larger emphasis on closing socioeconomic classes and spreading resources so that everyone gets the resources that they need. It is difficult to define what each country needs to do in order to reach this goal, however, I firmly believe that if the countries work towards universal health, and prioritize it, we will not have to make people choose between financial debt and healthcare.
References:
Deborah. (2024, July 7). Universal Healthcare-Part 1: Coverage | Republican Daily. Republican Daily. https://republicandaily.org/universal-healthcare-part-1-coverage/
Kuo , N. T. (2015, December 5). How can we achieve universal healthcare? World Economic
Release, J. N. (2023, September 18). Billions left behind on the path to universal health
coverage. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news/item/18-09-2023-billions-left-behind-on-the-path-to-universal- health-coverage#:~:text=Key%20actions%20include%20a%20radical%20reorientation%20of%20health
WHO. (2023). Universal Health Coverage. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/universal-health-coverage#tab=tab_1
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