Universal health coverage is about ensuring people have access to quality affordable healthcare. Kate Woodhead RGN, DMS examines why this is not just a requirement, but the foundation for individuals to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
When the nations of the world signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, one of the targets they set themselves was that they would make progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) together with other health related targets.
At least half of the world’s population does not have full coverage of essential health services and even if they do, many have to pay towards - or for - the services which pushes them further towards insoluble debt and poverty.
As our Government would agree, there are many countries where healthcare has traditionally been accessible and affordable, they are finding it increasingly difficult to respond to the ever increasing health needs of the population and the increasing costs of provision of services. Robust financing systems are required. In addition, improving health system coverage and health outcomes depends on the availability, accessibility and capacity of healthcare workers to deliver quality care.1 Other critical elements are good governance, sound systems of procurement and supply of medicines, as well as other heath technologies such as diagnostic services.
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