Hindu Editorial Analysis : 24-November-2023

Universal health coverage (UHC) is the linchpin to ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to quality health services. Envisioned under the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UHC spans the entire spectrum of health services, from promotion to palliative care.

Challenges Hindering Progress

Off-Track Progress: Despite global aspirations, progress towards UHC has veered off course. Health service coverage improvements have plateaued since 2015, with an escalating proportion of populations facing crippling out-of-pocket expenses.

Manpower Shortages and Pandemic Disruptions: Many regions, particularly Western and Central Asia, grapple with acute healthcare staff shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disruptions in essential services, affecting 92% of countries in 2021 and 84% in 2022.

Economic Disparities: Sickness often forces withdrawal from employment, intensifying the income gap between poor and non-poor households. The ensuing financial strain compels households to sell assets, perpetuating poverty. Annually, 55 million people plunge into poverty due to health expenses.

Inadequate Spending: India’s health expenditure, at 3.2% of GDP, lags behind the 5.2% average of Lower and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Government contributions are notably lower than countries like China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Navigating Towards UHC: Digital Health as the Beacon

Global Initiative on Digital Health: India’s leadership in digital health, exemplified by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aligns with the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health. This initiative seeks to attract investments and facilitate global collaboration on health data.

AI Revolutionizing Healthcare: Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a transformative force. AI-powered diagnostics enhance accuracy, expedite treatment decisions, and predict disease outbreaks. India, at the forefront of this revolution, holds the potential to redefine healthcare through personalized and efficient solutions.

Digital Infrastructure: A robust digital and data infrastructure is pivotal. It facilitates diverse contract administration, enforces value-based reimbursement, and addresses the multifaceted challenges of UHC expansion.

Strategic Steps for UHC: Policy Lessons and Collaborations

Policy Lessons for Low- and Middle-Income Countries: India’s journey in UHC expansion serves as a valuable policy guide for nations with similar aspirations. Lessons learned can shape effective strategies for building resilient health systems.

Private Sector Participation: Recognizing that the public sector alone cannot achieve UHC, integrating a significant portion of the private sector is imperative. Multilateral partnerships, merging public and private sectors, are essential in tackling modern health challenges.

WHO’s Primary Health Care Approach: WHO advocates for a primary health care (PHC) approach to ‘build back better.’ This approach can deliver 90% of essential UHC interventions, potentially saving 60 million lives and increasing global life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030.

Why In News

The expansion of Universal Health Coverage will be complex, but data and digital technology can smoothen the way, providing a streamlined and efficient framework to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality for all.

MCQs about Digital Pathways to Universal Health Coverage

  1. What is the primary goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)?
    A. Limited access to health services
    B. Quality health services without financial hardship
    C. Targeted health services for the affluent
    D. Exclusivity in healthcare for specific age groups
    Correct Answer: B. Quality health services without financial hardship
    Explanation: UHC ensures that everyone has access to a full range of quality health services without facing financial difficulties.
  2. what is the primary goal of the Global Initiative on Digital Health launched by the WHO?
    A. Restricting investments in digital health
    B. Facilitating regional and international exchange on health data
    C. Reducing the role of digital technology in healthcare
    D. Ignoring collaboration on health-related innovations
    Correct Answer: B. Facilitating regional and international exchange on health data
    Explanation: The Global Initiative on Digital Health aims to facilitate regional and international exchange and reporting on health.
  3. How does the essay suggest addressing the shortage of healthcare staff in India and other nations?
    A. Rely solely on public sector recruitment
    B. Ignore the issue as it is beyond resolution
    C. Encourage a collaborative approach involving public and private sectors
    D. Exclude digital technology from healthcare workforce management
    Correct Answer: C. Encourage a collaborative approach involving public and private sectors
    Explanation: A collaborative approach involving both public and private sectors to address the shortage of healthcare staff.
  4. What role does Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in healthcare?
    A. AI has no impact on healthcare worldwide
    B. AI can only optimize drug discovery
    C. AI-powered diagnostics can enhance accuracy and efficiency in medical diagnoses
    D. AI is limited to predicting disease outbreaks
    Correct Answer: C. AI-powered diagnostics can enhance accuracy and efficiency in medical diagnoses
    Explanation: AI-powered diagnostics can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnoses.

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