Universal Health Coverage: Towards Better Healthcare

Dr. Sowmya Sundararajan; Ms. Soundarya V; Dr. Gowtham S; Dr. Ravi Raj Singh Chouhan

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2018

Universal Health Coverage: Towards Better Healthcare

Dr. Sowmya Sundararajan, Ms. Soundarya V, Dr. Gowtham S, Dr. Ravi Raj Singh Chouhan

Abstract :

Access to required healthcare services must be considered as a basic human right irrespective of gender, age and socioeconomic status. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) ensures that all individuals have equal access to the health care they require without the risk of financial impoverishment. Nearly half of the countries in the world irrespective of their socioeconomic status are actively involved in various health systems restructuring that focus on improving health services alongside financial protection. These modifications have in turn led to a rise in the demand for proficiency and substantiation to make UHC as one of the main goals in the agenda for development post 2015. The main foundation of a productive life is the access to quality and affordable health care. Every year, millions of people are prevented from receiving the health service due to Out–of–Pocket expenditure creating a financial barrier. To sustain an economy and improve the social development, access to health services is mandatory. UHC has also been made as an essential part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), wherein, in addition to achieving universal health coverage, financial risk protection is also a part of it.