How Can Digital Health Technologies Contribute to Sustainable Attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Africa? A Perspective

Universal Health Coverage has attracted global attention as an ideal vehicle that will drive health care services to the individuals, families, and communities globally. Good health systems are capable of serving the needs of entire populations, including the availability of infrastructure, human resources, health technologies, and medicines. This study seeks to identify the barriers and challenges which have hindered the provision of basic health care to communities and suggest ways of addressing some of them. Literature search reviewed 40 materials which were more relevant. Results revealed that there have been disparities in the provision of healthcare. Challenges in service provision include; lack of political commitment, weak health system resulting from limited financial allocation and poor leadership, lack of adequate number of skilled human resources, equipment and supplies and poor infrastructures. For UHC to be successful, an effective and well-functioning Primary Health Care (PHC) system is essential. Thus health systems can be strengthened through financial allocation; training of skilled and well-motivated healthcare workers. Also provision of right equipment and supplies, equity in resource distribution, improvement of infrastructures to meet the needs of the people is fundamental.

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Digital health vision: could MomConnect provide a pragmatic starting point for achieving universal health coverage in South Africa and elsewhere?

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000626 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (Suppl 2) ◽

pp. e000626 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Garrett Livingston Mehl ◽

Tigest Tamrat ◽

Sanjana Bhardwaj ◽

Sean Blaschke ◽

Alain Labrique

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Digital Health ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Starting Point ◽

Universal Health

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Universal Health Coverage “Leave No Child Behind “

10.21203/rs.3.rs-122342/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Liesbeth Siderius ◽

David Neubauer ◽

Anjan Bhattacharya ◽

Péter Altorjai ◽

Lali Margvelashvili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Hospital Care ◽

Data Exchange ◽

Children With Disabilities ◽

Digital Health ◽

University Hospital ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Out Of Pocket Payments ◽

Universal Health

Abstract Aim: Multiple stakeholders are involved in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The estimated over 90 million children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of the world’s population. We questioned :‘What would be the least paediatricians could do to contribute to the UHC?’ Methods: In a cross sectional study an international network of paediatricians engaged in children with disabling and rare conditions was questioned on eight of the UHC statements regarding child health in relation to primary care services, availability and affordability of diagnostics and therapies as well as digital health. Results: Responders from Europe and Israel, Asia and the US practice in primary (ambulatory) care, secondary (hospital) care, tertiary (university hospital) care. According to 39/48 (81%) respondents promotion of paediatric primary care could reduce mortality and morbidity according to. Paediatricians could play an active role in providing quality information to increase access to health services for children with disabilities according to 40/48 (83%) responders. Improved data exchange is necessary to deliver primary care as a cornerstone according to 38/48 (79%) responders. Respondents practising in middle economy countries reported significantly more frequently than their colleagues in high economies countries about “out of pocket” payments for diagnostics and therapies as well as reduced availability. All respondents agreed that taking no action to support the achievement of UHC, is not an option. Conclusion: The economic gap in diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in paediatric practice should be considered in achieving UHC. An international paediatric network should support achieving the UHC by providing adequate paediatric training and quality (digital) information.

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Universal Health Coverage “Leave No Child Behind “

10.21203/rs.3.rs-122342/v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Liesbeth Siderius ◽

David Neubauer ◽

Anjan Bhattacharya ◽

Péter Altorjai ◽

Lali Margvelashvili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Data Exchange ◽

Children With Disabilities ◽

Digital Health ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Out Of Pocket Payments ◽

Universal Health

Abstract Aim: Multiple stakeholders are involved in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The estimated over 90 million children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of the world’s population. Paediatricians around the world are united to promote a world where all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can enjoy a healthy life and well-being. We examined: ‘What would be the least paediatricians could do to contribute to the UHC?’Methods: In cross-sectional study paediatricians, engaged in care for children with disabling and rare conditions, were questioned on eight of the UHC statements concerning child health, primary care services, availability and affordability of diagnostics and therapies and digital health; as well as country of residence and level of practice.Results: Responders from Europe and Israel, Asia and the US practice at primary-, secondary- and tertiary care level in high and middle economy countries. Promotion of paediatric primary care could reduce mortality and morbidity, according to 39/48 (81%) respondents. An active role of paediatricians in providing quality information would increase access to health services for children with disabilities, according to 40/48 (83%) responders. Improved data exchange is necessary to deliver primary care as a cornerstone, according to 38/48 (79%) responders. Respondents practising in middle economy countries reported significantly more frequently than their colleagues in high economies countries about “out of pocket” payments for diagnostics and therapies as well as reduced availability. In order to increase global awareness and international solidarity, a panel of participants in a paediatric network felt that paediatricians should undertake necessary actions to support the achievement of UHC.Conclusion: The economic gap in diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in paediatric practice should be considered in achieving UHC. An international paediatric network should support achieving the UHC by providing adequate paediatric training and quality (digital) information.

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Universal Health Coverage “Leave No Child Behind “

10.21203/rs.3.rs-122342/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Liesbeth Siderius ◽

David Neubauer ◽

Anjan Bhattacharya ◽

Péter Altorjai ◽

Lali Margvelashvili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Data Exchange ◽

Children With Disabilities ◽

Digital Health ◽

Digital Information ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Access To Health Services ◽

Out Of Pocket Payments ◽

Universal Health

Abstract Purpose: Multiple stakeholders are involved in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The estimated over 90 million children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of the world’s population. We questioned :‘What would be the least paediatricians could do to contribute to the UHC?’Methods: In a cross sectional study an international network of paediatricians engaged in children with disabling and rare conditions was questioned on eight of the UHC statements regarding child health in relation to primary care services, availability and affordability of diagnostics and therapies as well as digital health.Results: Promotion of paediatric primary care could reduce mortality and morbidity according to 39/48 (81%) respondents. Pediatricians could play an active role providing quality information to increase access to health services for children with disabilities stated 40/48 (83%) responders. Improved data exchange is necessary to deliver primary care as a cornerstone according to 38/48 (79%) responders. Respondents practising in middle economy countries reported significant more frequently than their colleagues in high economies countries about “out of pocket” payments for diagnostics and therapies as well as reduced availability. All respondents agreed that taking no action to support the achievement of UHC, is not an option.Conclusion: The economic gap in diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in paediatric practice should be considered in achieving UHC. An international paediatric network should support achieving the UHC by providing adequate paediatric training and quality (digital) information.

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