Tokyo, El Sky News — Most countries around the world have made significant progress in expanding healthcare access and reducing the financial burden of medical costs, according to a joint report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank Group.
Global Progress: Service Coverage and Financial Protection
The global health service coverage index measuring access to essential services such as treatment for communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable disease care rose from 54 points in 2000 to 71 points in 2023. The proportion of people facing catastrophic out-of-pocket (OOP) health payments fell from 34% in 2000 to 26% in 2022.
According to the WHO Director-General, these improvements reflect the impact of investments in health systems and social protection, although progress remains uneven.
Persistent Challenges: Millions Still Excluded
Despite progress, the report warns that billions remain left behind:
- Approximately 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services.
- Around 2.1 billion people face financial hardship when seeking healthcare, including 1.6 billion pushed further into poverty by medical costs.
- The financial burden is most severe for the poorest, with 3 out of 4 in the lowest income quintile reporting difficulty paying for healthcare, compared to less than 1 in 25 among the wealthiest.
Progress in services for communicable diseases has been notable, but growth in services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and maternal, newborn, and child health remains slower in many countries.
Inequities Between and Within Countries
While low-income countries have made important strides in expanding basic healthcare access, gaps remain compared to high-income nations. Vulnerable populations including the poor, women, rural residents, and those with lower education levels face the greatest barriers to care.
Global Reform Efforts: “National Health Compacts”
As part of efforts to accelerate universal health coverage (UHC), 15 countries have introduced five-year reform frameworks called National Health Compacts, focusing on:
- Expanding primary healthcare,
- Increasing affordability of services,
- Strengthening the health workforce,
- Modernizing facilities and health systems.
Global support, including financial and technical cooperation, aims to expand quality and affordable healthcare coverage to 1.5 billion people by 2030. According to the World Bank President, investing in primary healthcare not only saves lives but also supports economic growth and job creation.
Risks for 2030: Action Needed
If current trends continue, by 2030 when global UHC targets are due the global service coverage index may only reach 74 out of 100, leaving roughly 1 in 4 people still facing financial hardship in accessing healthcare.
Implications for Southeast Asia and Indonesia
For developing countries, including those in Southeast Asia, the report highlights that expanding basic health services, strengthening insurance coverage, and reforming health systems are crucial priorities. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia could focus on primary care, expanding services for non-communicable diseases, and ensuring affordability for vulnerable populations.
(Lunar)
