60 million people in South-East Asia Region pushed into poverty on account of health spending: WHO

An estimated 60 million people are pushed into poverty on account of health spending, of which most expense goes into the purchase of medicines, and at least half of the world's population still do not have full coverage of essential health services, according to WHO. Achieving universal health coverage has been one of the region’s flagship priorities since 2014, the organization observed.

New Delhi: At least half of the world’s population still do not have full coverage of essential health services. Around 930 million people spend at least 10 percent of their household budget to pay for health care. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, an estimated 60 million people are pushed into poverty on account of health spending most of which goes on medicines said Dr Poonam Khetrapal, WHO’s South-East Asia regional director.

Dr Khetrapal said that since 2014, achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has been one of the region’s flagship priorities, with a focus on enhancing primary level care by increasing access to medicines and strengthening the health workforce.

She was talking in connection with the third International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.

Dr Khetrapal said that against the backdrop of a global pandemic that has caused disease, death and disruption, the case for UHC is clearer than ever.

“Strong and equitable health systems that leave no one behind create populations that are healthier, more productive and financially secure. Resilient health systems are the bedrock of emergency preparedness and response and ensure that when acute events do occur, essential services can be maintained – one of the Region’s key points of focus throughout the pandemic,” she said.

Countries that prioritize public health and health-in-all policies can more easily mobilize the multi-sectoral buy-in required to address cross-cutting issues such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change and food safety. Investing in health system resilience to achieve UHC is not only moral but also critical for inclusive and sustainable economic development. It cannot afford to wait, she added.

Trend data from this year’s annual progress report shows that countries have continued to improve service coverage, which is now, on average, above 61 percent, as compared with 47 percent a decade ago.

She said that nine countries have surpassed the first WHO health workforce density threshold of 22.8 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10 000 population, compared with six in 2014.

Read: India adopts voluntary method for population control as govt opposes stricter norms for population control

All countries have taken concerted action to strengthen the delivery of noncommunicable disease services at the primary level, in line with the Region’s 2016 Colombo Declaration. Although public spending on health has on average increased by more than 23 percent between 2009 and 2018, most countries invest substantially more to reduce out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditure.

“Throughout the COVID-19 response, Member State focus on maintaining essential health services has demonstrated the critical importance of investing in PHC-oriented health systems.

In ordinary times, every dollar invested in health yields an average return of between US$ 2-4, which can be up to 20 times higher in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO-supported Global Preparedness Monitoring Board estimates that it would take 500 years to spend as much on preparedness – including by investing in health system strengthening – as the world is losing due to the impact of COVID-19,” she said.

The pandemic has underscored the fact that economic health is dependent on public health, which is in turn dependent on adequate public spending on health.

“Crucially, we must not only mobilize additional funds, but we must also ensure that those funds are spent wisely and efficiently. On 14 December, to mark the two-year anniversary of the Declaration of Astana, WHO will launch its Operational framework for primary health care: transforming vision into action,” Dr Khetrapal said.

The framework highlights the critical need for countries to focus action at the primary level as part of a whole-of-society approach to maximizing health and well-being. It lays specific emphasis on driving multisectoral action and empowering people and communities, which has been central to the pandemic response, and will facilitate the equitable and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.

Read: WHO discusses fast-tracking Covid vaccine SE Asia