The Elders launch their report on Universal Health Coverage in India, calling on its leaders to increase political commitment and public financing to deliver #HealthForAll.
"With the necessary political will and public financing, India can make UHC a reality and ensure a better, healthier future for all Indian people."
India currently has around 600 million people without effective health coverage, the largest number worldwide, and 63 million people are living in poverty because of health costs.
The country is currently facing a “public health crisis” which risks impeding economic growth and makes it harder to achieve the wider Sustainable Development Goals.
The Elders’ report contains four key recommendations to achieve UHC, which means that everybody receives the health services they need without suffering financial hardship:
- Increase public financing for health to 2.5% of GDP by 2021
- Focus on reaching full population coverage and prioritising the needs of the poor and vulnerable
- Focus additional resources on primary healthcare services including vital public health services
- Guarantee universal access to free essential medicines and diagnostic services
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Political commitment is the key to Universal Health Coverage
Writing in the British Medical Journal, Gro Harlem Brundtland explains how Universal Health Coverage is a matter of political commitment since it consists of a political process ensuring the creation of an equitable health financing system.