Remarks at the 2019 UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage

10.1596/32496 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Malpass
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
High Level ◽  
Universal Health

scholarly journals Towards universal health coverage: governance and organisational change in ministries of health

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Berman ◽  
Azrina Azhar ◽  
Elizabeth J Osborn
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Health Financing ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
High Level ◽  
Universal Health

Countries have implemented a range of reforms in health financing and provision to advance towards universal health coverage (UHC). These reforms often change the role of a ministry of health (MOH) in traditionally unitary national health service systems. An exploratory comparative case study of four upper middle-income and high-income countries provides insights into how these reforms in pursuit of UHC are likely to affect health governance and the organisational functioning of an MOH accustomed to controlling the financing and delivery of healthcare. These reforms often do not result in simple transfers of responsibility from MOH to other actors in the health system. The resulting configuration of responsibilities and organisational changes within a health system is specific to the capacities within the health system and the sociopolitical context. Formal prescriptions that accompany reform proposals often do not fully represent what actually takes place. An MOH may retain considerable influence in financing and delivery even when reforms appear to formally shift those powers to other organisational units. MOHs have limited ability to independently achieve fundamental system restructuring in health systems that are strongly subject to public sector rules and policies. Our comparative study shows that within these constraints, MOHs can drive organisational change through four mechanisms: establishing a high-level interministerial team to provide political commitment and reduce institutional barriers; establishing an MOH ‘change team’ to lead implementation of organisational change; securing key components of systemic change through legislation; and leveraging emerging political change windows of opportunity for the introduction of health reforms.

The critical role of health promotion for effective universal health coverage

2021 ◽  
pp. 175797592098421
Author(s):  
Trevor Shilton ◽  
Margaret M. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
The Social ◽  
High Level ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Universal Health

The Political Declaration from the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World (2019) provided important reaffirmation of health as a precondition for sustainable development and equity, as well as of the role for primary care as a cornerstone of universal health coverage. Health promotion, prevention and sustainable healthcare go hand in glove. Health promotion can enable more effective use of health resources by reducing demand for expensive health services and reducing hospital admissions. Promoting mental and physical health, and addressing health literacy and the social determinants of health, enables governments and departments of health to (i) empower citizens and communities to take control of their health, and (ii) better support innovative and financially sustainable healthcare. Without the bedrock underpinning of effective health promotion, treasuries and health systems will struggle to meet the rising costs and burden of ill health.

scholarly journals UN high-level meeting: time to act on universal health coverage

The Lancet ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 394 (10200) ◽  
pp. 731-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Kickbusch ◽  
Githinji Gitahi
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
High Level ◽  
Universal Health

scholarly journals The 2019 UN high-level meeting on universal health coverage

The Lancet ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 393 (10184) ◽  
pp. 1931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Wright ◽  
Refiloe Mabejane
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
High Level ◽  
Universal Health
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