universal health coverage

PRESENTER Dr Akshay Minhas

The goal of universal health coverage is to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them.

1. A strong, efficient, well-run health system that meets priority health needs through people-centred integrated care (including services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, non communicable diseases, maternal and child health) by:

◦ informing and encouraging people to stay healthy and prevent illness;

◦ detecting health conditions early;◦ having the capacity to treat disease; and◦ helping patients with rehabilitation.

2 Affordability – a system for financing health services so people do not suffer financial hardship when using them.

3 Access to essential medicines and technologies to diagnose and treat medical problems.

4 A sufficient capacity of well-trained, motivated health workers to provide the services to meet patients’ needs based on the best available evidence.

It also requires recognition of the critical role played by all sectors in assuring human health, including transport, education and urban planning etc.

Universal coverage is firmly based on the WHO constitution of 1948 declaring health a fundamental human right and on the Health for All agenda set by the Alma-Ata declaration in 1978.

2 million more doctors, nurses and midwives are required

100 million people pushed into poverty because of direct health payments

70countries devote less than 10% of general government expenditure to health

According to the International Labor Organization, nearly 50 countries have attained universal or near- universal coverage.Conspicuous gaps still exist, however, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

High Level Expert Group on Universal health was constituted in 2010 by planning commission .

Ten principles for UHC in India: (i) universality; (ii) equity; (iii) non-exclusion and non-discrimination; (iv) Comprehensive care that is rational and of good quality; (v) financial protection; (vi) protection of patients’ rights that guarantee appropriateness of care, patient choice, portability and continuity of care; (vii) consolidated and strengthened public health provisioning; (viii) accountability and transparency; (ix) community participation; and (x) putting health in people’s hands.

All Determinants

Biological Determinants

Biological Determinants

Behavioural DeterminantsBehavioural

DeterminantsSocial

DeterminantsSocial

Determinants

Refer to the cells, tissues and systems of 

the body, their structure and how adequately they 

function

Refer to the cells, tissues and systems of 

the body, their structure and how adequately they 

function

Refer to the choices people 

make in their lives that impact  on 

health

Refer to the choices people 

make in their lives that impact  on 

health

Refer to the determinants within 

the social environment that impact on health 

status

Refer to the determinants within 

the social environment that impact on health 

status

Social-Physical-Economic-Services Determinants

◦ Income & income inequality◦ Education◦ Race/ethnicity/gender & related discrimination◦ Built Environment◦ Stress◦ Social support◦ Early child experiences◦ Employment◦ Housing◦ Transportation◦ Food Environment◦ Social standing

Thank you