G20 Declaration on Health

Impact ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (8) ◽  
pp. 67-68
Author(s):  
Lucy Annette
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
One Health ◽  
Reliable Information ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Global Access ◽  
Sustainable Recovery ◽  
Universal Health

Health ministers met to discuss global recovery and the G20 Declaration on Health was subsequently published. It sets forth the G20's intentions for achieving global health goals, including tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and fulfilling priorities surrounding healthy and sustainable recovery, One Health resilience, coordinated and collaborative responses and the accessibility of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. A key focus is on collaboration and people-centred preparedness, a need for which was highlighted by the pandemic, as well as strengthening healthcare systems through continuous investment. The Declaration underlines the need to, 'strengthen our collective preparedness to prevent, detect, report, and respond to health emergencies and notably promoting resilience of health systems and communities; to create trust by exchanging reliable information, data and scientific knowledge in a timely manner to develop science- and evidence-informed policies, measures and tools; and to sustain financial support and economic recovery in order to achieve full implementation of the 2019 Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).' A primary commitment for the G20 health ministers is providing 'timely, equitable and global access to safe, affordable and effective COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics (VTDs).' This includes promoting confidence in vaccines by providing reliable information. Further important elements of the Declaration are whole-society cooperation and cross-border collaboration, as well as the importance of a One Health approach. Concerns that emerged from the meeting were antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food systems and environmental health. Solutions will involve improved surveillance of antimicrobial use and the rise of resistance to new and existing therapeutics.

Does the preference for location of childbirth change for successive births? Evidence from the states and regions of India

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Bidyadhar Dehury ◽  
Mithlesh Chourase
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Institutional Delivery ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Women In India ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Universal health coverage is central to the development agenda to achieve maternal and neonatal health goals. Although there is evidence of a growing preference for institutional births in India, it is important to understand the pattern of switching location of childbirth and the factors associated with it. This study used data from the fourth round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted in India in 2015–16. The study sample comprised 59,629 women who had had at least two births in the five years preceding the survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to the data. About 16.4% of the women switched their location of childbirth between successive births; 9.1% switched to a health facility contributing to a net increment of 1.9% in institutional delivery, varying greatly across states and regions. There was at least a 4 percentage point net increment in institutional births in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana, but the shift was more in favour of home births in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Women with high parity and a large birth interval had higher odds of switching their place of childbirth, and this was in favour of a health facility, while women with higher education, from lower social groups, living in urban areas, who had not received four antenatal care visits, and who belonged to a higher wealth quintile had higher odds of switching their place of childbirth to a health facility, despite having lower odds of switching their childbirth location. The study provides evidence of women in India switching their location of childbirth for successive births, and this was more prevalent in areas where the rate of institutional delivery was low. Only a few states showed a higher net increment in favour of a health facility. This suggests that there is a need for action in specific states and regions of India to achieve universal health coverage.

scholarly journals Including undocumented migrants in universal health coverage: a maternal health case study from the Thailand-Myanmar border

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Tschirhart ◽  
Wichuda Jiraporncharoen ◽  
Rojanasak Thongkhamcharoen ◽  
Kulyapa Yoonut ◽  
Trygve Ottersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Insurance Fund ◽  
Undocumented Migrants ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Emergency Interventions ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background Many countries aspiring to achieve universal health coverage struggle with how to ensure health coverage for undocumented migrants. Using a case study of maternal health care in a Thailand-Myanmar border region this article explores coverage for migrants, service provision challenges and the contribution of a voluntary health insurance program. Methods In 2018 we interviewed 18 key informants who provided, oversaw or contributed to maternal healthcare services for migrant women in the border region of Tak province, Thailand. Results In this region, we found that public and non-profit providers helped increase healthcare coverage beyond undocumented migrants’ official entitlements. Interview participants explained that Free and low-cost antenatal care (ANC) is provided to undocumented migrants through migrant specific clinics, outreach programs and health posts. Hospitals offer emergency birth care, although uninsured migrant patients are subsequently billed for the services. Care providers identified sustainability, institutional debt from unpaid obstetric hospital bills, cross border logistical difficulties and the late arrival of patients requiring emergency lifesaving interventions as challenges when providing care to undocumented migrants. An insurance fund was developed to provide coverage for costly emergency interventions at Thai government hospitals. The insurance fund, along with existing free and low-cost services, helped increase population coverage, range of services and financial protection for undocumented migrants. Conclusions This case study offers considerations for extending health coverage to undocumented populations. Non-profit insurance funds can help to improve healthcare entitlements, provide financial protection and reduce service providers’ debt. However, there are limits to programs that offer voluntary coverage for undocumented migrants. High costs associated with emergency interventions along with gaps in insurance coverage challenge the sustainability for NGO, non-profit and government health providers and may be financially disastrous for patients. Finally, in international border regions with high mobility, it may be valuable to implement and strengthen cross border referrals and health insurance for migrants.

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