UHC Progress Stagnates, Financial Protection Worsens: Report

September 22, 2023

A joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank delivers sobering news: progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has stalled since 2015. The report also shines a light on the worsening financial protection for individuals seeking health services.

Understanding Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

UHC is a crucial concept in the global health arena. It embodies the idea that everyone should have access to the quality health services they need without being pushed into financial hardship. Achieving UHC promises better health outcomes, poverty reduction related to healthcare expenses, and equitable healthcare access.

Stagnation in Progress Since 2015

The WHO and World Bank report paints a concerning picture. As of 2021, over half of the world’s population—equivalent to 4.5 billion people—remained without full coverage for essential health services. The stagnation in UHC progress is linked to several factors:

Disparities in service coverage, with differences in attention and resources allocated to health issues like infectious diseases compared to non-communicable diseases.
Challenges in reaching disadvantaged demographic groups, particularly those in rural areas.
Escalating financial hardships borne by individuals and families due to out-of-pocket health spending.

Financial Hardships and Out-of-Pocket Spending

The report’s findings underscore the global impact of out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending. In 2019, OOP health expenses pushed approximately two billion people into financial difficulty. Among these, a staggering 344 million individuals lived in extreme poverty.

Mitigating OOP Health Spending

The report offers solutions to mitigate the impact of OOP health spending, particularly for those on the brink of poverty. Recommendations include:

Reducing OOP health payments for individuals near the poverty line.
Exempting impoverished individuals from such expenses to safeguard against impoverishment.
Increasing public health funding and improving its efficiency and fairness.
Minimizing or eliminating user charges, especially for primary care services, to promote equitable access.

Progress Toward WHO’s Triple Billion Targets for UHC

The report reveals that the world is falling short of WHO’s ambitious Triple Billion targets for UHC by 2025. Key challenges identified include the need to:

Expand access to primary care services, including outpatient medicines.
Decrease out-of-pocket spending, a major driver of financial hardship.
Increase public health funding.
Implement more equitable healthcare policies.

In conclusion, the joint WHO and World Bank report serves as a wake-up call. It highlights the urgent need to revitalize efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage, a goal vital for improving global health, reducing poverty, and ensuring that no one faces financial ruin when seeking essential healthcare services.

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