The annual meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA) is in full swing, underscoring the theme “All for health, health for all.” This theme encapsulates a pressing global issue: ensuring equitable access to health services for every individual without causing financial strain. While this goal remains unmet for many, the involvement and effectiveness of health ministers are pivotal in bridging this gap.
The COVID-19 Paradigm Shift
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a transformative force in healthcare systems worldwide, bringing both advancements and challenges. On the positive side, it hastened the development of vaccines, promoted alternative care models, and accelerated the digitalization of health services. Conversely, it disrupted universal health coverage, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and triggered a mass exodus of healthcare workers, placing enormous strain on families and societies.
Health Ministers as Change Agents
Health ministers are key drivers of change within their countries. However, they often face significant challenges, including underfunding and limited influence compared to other ministers. These challenges can push health issues down the priority list amid geopolitical and economic pressures. Despite these obstacles, health ministers should lead the charge in setting and advocating for health policies addressing today’s critical issues.
The Role of the WHA
The WHA, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), has a track record of tackling global health challenges. It has played a crucial role in eradicating smallpox and polio and in facilitating vaccine development and distribution for diseases like malaria and COVID-19. The WHA is now focusing on immunization, pandemic preparedness, maternal health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate and health issues, and workforce health, which are vital for achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite its successes, the WHA’s mandate has expanded significantly compared to its funding, potentially jeopardizing its ability to deliver long-term results. Therefore, additional support from health ministers of member states and collaboration with entities like the World Economic Forum is essential for sustained progress.
Holistic Investment in Health
Governments often view health, education, housing, transport, and the green transition as competing priorities. However, these should be seen holistically as drivers of health. Improving prioritization of healthcare globally requires understanding why it is often overlooked and finding ways to elevate its status. Health ministers’ decisions impact all societal sectors and a country’s overall prosperity. Thus, health ministries need adequate resources, and their ministers require the agency and knowledge to drive change.
Collaborative Efforts and Best Practices
No single approach can solve the world’s healthcare problems, but collaboration, dialogue, and shared best practices are beneficial. The World Economic Forum’s Centre for Health & Healthcare exemplifies this multistakeholder approach, providing diverse perspectives and strengthening health ministers’ and ministries’ knowledge and understanding. This approach aims to advance the global health agenda and accelerate progress on health-related SDGs.
Priority Action Areas
Reflecting the WHA’s priorities, the Forum’s action areas for 2024 and 2025 include AMR, climate and health, digital health, health equity, and women’s health. These areas require urgent attention and action to prevent increased challenges and costs in global health services.
AMR, for instance, poses a significant threat as antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs become less effective, leading to higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and escalating healthcare costs, potentially reaching trillions of dollars by 2050. Health ministers need support to champion comprehensive policies to combat this issue.
Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration
The Forum is committed to enhancing collaborations between governments and businesses to improve global healthcare access. An exemplary initiative is the Global Alliance for Women’s Health, supported by the Forum, which will launch the Cervical and Breast Cancer Coalition with Kenya’s Ministry of Health during the WHA meeting. This coalition aims to empower health ministers with knowledge and resources to address gaps and challenges, enabling them to implement effective health strategies. Successful regional practices can then be scaled up globally.
A Vision for Quality Healthcare
Quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare is a right for all. By supporting health ministries and empowering health ministers, we can prioritize health and accelerate progress in addressing local and global health challenges. The virtuous cycle of prioritizing health will lead to healthier populations and more resilient health systems worldwide.
+ There are no comments
Add yours