A bold step towards universal health coverage: Marking UHC Day with a virtual convening
Health for all is a fundamental right, yet many face financial barriers to accessing care. This UHC Day, we delve into the critical issue of unaffordable health costs and explore ways to ensure no one is left behind.
But here's where it gets controversial... While progress has been made, the pace is too slow. We must accelerate our efforts to achieve the minimum essential UHC targets by 2030.
UHC Day, celebrated annually on December 12th, marks the United Nations' unanimous endorsement of universal health coverage in 2012. It serves as a rallying cry for global health advocates, reminding us of the moral imperative to ensure financial protection for all.
This year's theme, "Unaffordable health costs? We're sick of it!" reflects a growing discontent and a call to action. Financial protection is not a luxury; it is a core pillar of UHC and a prerequisite for sustainable social and economic development.
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, countries have demonstrated their commitment to advancing financial protection in health. The proportion of the population spending a significant portion of their income on out-of-pocket health expenses has decreased over the years, dropping from 38.4% in 2010 to 30.9% in 2022. This is a notable achievement, but we must ask ourselves: is it enough?
And this is the part most people miss... While composite financial hardship has declined, there is a continued rise in large, non-impoverishing out-of-pocket health spending. From 2010 to 2022, this proportion increased from 6.7% to 8.6%. This means that a significant number of individuals and households are still struggling to afford necessary healthcare, despite not being pushed into poverty.
Our analyses reveal that the poorest populations, especially those in rural areas and multigenerational families, face the highest rates of financial hardship. Out-of-pocket expenditures on medicines and outpatient care are major drivers of this issue, with the burden disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable.
But there is hope! Countries in the region have implemented bold reforms and strategies to strengthen financial protection. For instance, India has recently taken measures to enhance financial protection, and Sri Lanka is addressing this through a new health financing strategy. Bhutan, on the other hand, is mobilizing multi-sectoral actions, while Thailand focuses on sustainable and efficient UHC financing.
During this virtual event, we will delve deeper into these country perspectives and experiences. We will also discuss policy actions and strategies to advance UHC and ensure that no one faces financial hardship when seeking care.
Our objectives for this convening are clear:
- Present global and regional trends on financial hardship due to health spending, highlighting inequities based on income, gender, geography, and service type.
- Share country experiences and strategies to strengthen financial protection, learning from each other's successes and challenges.
- Reflect on policy actions and generate renewed commitment to improve financial protection in health, accelerating progress towards UHC.
Key messages to keep in mind:
- While financial hardship has gradually declined, the rise in large, non-impoverishing out-of-pocket health spending is a cause for concern.
- The poorest and most vulnerable populations continue to face the highest financial burdens.
- Out-of-pocket spending on medicines is a significant driver of financial hardship, influenced by various factors such as self-treatment practices, limited public coverage, high prices, and growing consumption due to chronic conditions.
- Health financing systems, broader health system factors, and non-health system factors all play a role in protecting patients against high out-of-pocket spending.
Our agenda for the virtual convening:
- Moderator: Jayendra Sharma
- Opening remarks: Catherina Boehme and Manoj Jhalani, WHO-SEARO
- Presentation: "Financial hardship in the WHO South-East Asia Region: Unbundling the drivers" by Maneeta Jain and Catherine Korachais, WHO SEARO/HQ
- Country perspectives and commitments: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Thailand
- Panel talk:
- "Universal health reforms are affordable, even in a period of crisis" (TBC)
- "Why public spending on health matters" with Rob Yates, LSE
- "Generating value for money in health spending" with Sonalini Khetrapal, ADB
- Closing remarks: "Implications for health financing in the region" by Alaka Singh, WHO-SEARO
- UHC Day launch: "Social participation for UHC case study series" by Manoj Jhalani, WHO-SEARO
Join us on this virtual journey as we celebrate achievements, reflect on challenges, and unite our efforts to make universal health coverage a reality. Let's ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of good health and well-being for all.
Are you ready to take action? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. Together, we can make a difference!
