Millions lack access to health services

MANILA, Philippines — Half of the world’s population cannot access essential health services, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported as it observed World Health Day yesterday.      

WHO director general Tedros Adhanom said despite progress, millions of people worldwide have no access to health care.      

“Today, half the world’s population cannot access essential health services. Millions of women give birth without help from a skilled attendant; millions of children miss out on vaccinations against killer diseases, and millions suffer and die because they can’t get treatment for HIV, TB and malaria,” Adhanom said in a statement over the weekend.      

According to him, millions of people are forced to choose between health care and other daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home.  

But he gave assurance that health for all is possible if countries at many different income levels are making progress with the resources they have.       

He noted that all countries have committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.

“To meet that target, we need to see one billion people benefitting from UHC in the next five years,” Adhanom said. “This is not an unattainable dream, nor will it require billions of dollars to implement. UHC is achievable, right here, right now, for all of us.”

Citing the Declaration of Astana on primary health care signed in Kazakhstan last October, he added that investing in stronger health systems could help prevent and mitigate consequences of outbreaks and other disasters.      

Last Friday, WHO joined hands with health and development organizations around the world to symbolize shared commitment to ensuring health for everyone, everywhere.

“This shared commitment will be fundamental as we move forward to the next milestone in the global push towards universal health coverage – at the United Nations high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage in New York later this year,” Adhanom said.