PREVIOUS INSIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
PREVIOUS INSIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Get ready for International UHC Day
Each year on 12 December, the world celebrates International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day). This year the theme is ‘Health for all: protect everyone’. Check out the website for campaign materials and to see what different countries are doing.
UN launches UHC and COVID-19 Policy Brief
Launching the UN’s latest policy brief, COVID-19 and Universal Health Coverage, Secretary-General António Guterres said that UHC comes at a cost, but that the price is cheap, “when we consider the alternative.” So far, the pandemic has cost the global economy $375 billion per month, and about 500 million jobs.
Launching the UN’s latest policy brief, COVID-19 and Universal Health Coverage, Secretary-General António Guterres said that UHC comes at a cost, but that the price is cheap, “when we consider the alternative.” So far, the pandemic has cost the global economy $375 billion per month, and about 500 million jobs.
Gates report highlights daunting task ahead
The latest Goalkeepers report on progress with the SDGs from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says that many low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, face a daunting task in achieving UHC and other SDG goals due to the impacts of COVID-19.
The latest Goalkeepers report on progress with the SDGs from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says that many low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, face a daunting task in achieving UHC and other SDG goals due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Study reveals global UHC shortfall
A new study published in The Lancet projects that 3.1 billion people will still lack effective health service coverage in 2023, with 968 million living in South Asia. This falls short of the WHO goal of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC between 2019 and 2023.
A new study published in The Lancet projects that 3.1 billion people will still lack effective health service coverage in 2023, with 968 million living in South Asia. This falls short of the WHO goal of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC between 2019 and 2023.
Value of collaboration between sectors highlighted
Closer collaboration between the sectors dealing with food, water, air, and human health is needed to achieve UHC, according to a major report launched by The Access Challenge and Harvard Global Health Institute.
Closer collaboration between the sectors dealing with food, water, air, and human health is needed to achieve UHC, according to a major report launched by The Access Challenge and Harvard Global Health Institute.
Pakistan re-focuses on essential health during COVID
Although Pakistan is committed to UHC, many services for illnesses that are unrelated to COVID-19 have stopped, with multiple primary health care services on hold. The country is now working with the WHO and other partners to re-focus on essential health care, such as maternal and newborn health services.
Although Pakistan is committed to UHC, many services for illnesses that are unrelated to COVID-19 have stopped, with multiple primary health care services on hold. The country is now working with the WHO and other partners to re-focus on essential health care, such as maternal and newborn health services.
Could self-care interventions boost UHC’s reach?
Self-care interventions, such as home HIV testing, could increase UHC by lessening the workload for health workers, and reaching people who either can’t access or don’t want to come into health facilities.
What is the ‘new normal’ for UHC?
COVID-19 calls for a renewed and urgent focus on specific public health actions as the first step towards UHC, claims a World Bank blog. This includes special attention to common goods for health, such as disease surveillance, laboratories and diagnosis, and behaviour-change communication.
Equity and accountability are vital for preventing pandemics
Access to quality healthcare, free at the point of use for everyone, has proven to be a game changer for countries’ ability to contain infectious disease outbreaks, according to Chatham House
US withdrawal from WHO undermines UHC
As the largest funder of the WHO, the US government’s decision to stop funding the organisation represents a significant blow to UHC, which lies at the heart of the WHO’s work.
Global health security is every company’s business
The business community is increasingly recognizing that global health security and emergency preparedness are not only essential for conducting business but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3.8 (UHC).
Post-crisis health financing opportunity
Countries have an opportunity to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis with more resilient health financing for UHC if they use the recovery phase of the pandemic to rethink their policies on a ‘roll back, roll out, drive forward’ basis, argues a World Bank blog.
Political leadership essential for UHC
A study of 11 countries across the globe, carried out by the World Bank and the Government of Japan, has found that political leadership and long-term commitment are essential for the success of UHC, together with two other key factors.
Call for G20 to step up to the plate
As the biggest providers of development assistance for health and UHC, the G20 states should collaborate more closely to establish common monitoring mechanisms, create mutual learning platforms, and harmonise their aid, argues the British Medical Journal.
Time to focus on outcomes?
UHC can be achieved, says the World Economic Forum, but the emphasis needs to shift from paying for health services to paying for patient-centric health outcomes, amongst other recommendations.
1% increase in GDP spend needed
Countries need to increase their spending on primary health care by at least 1% of GDP if the world is to close glaring coverage gaps and meet the health targets agreed under the SDGs, claims the WHO’s latest Global Monitoring Report on UHC.
The $500 billion out-of-pocket problem
People in developing countries spend half a trillion dollars annually — over $80 per person — out of their own pockets to access health services, according to a new report by the World Bank Group.