The World Health Organization (WHO) marks April 7 every year as its day. It’s a day chosen to focus on specific health concerns and over the years have covered topics such as depression, maternal and child health, mental health, universal health coverage, etc. This year, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in mind, WHO has chosen the theme, “Building a healthier, fairer world”.
Several groups of people all over the world struggle to meet basic living standards like good housing, feeding, education, opportunities and even health care due to poor wealth distribution, age, gender bias, among other things. This has led to untold suffering, illnesses and premature deaths and the Covid-19 pandemic has made this glaring. These inequalities are unfair to humanity and can be preventable, hence, this year’s theme. WHO is calling on leaders to ensure everyone is working and living under good health conditions to build a healthier and fairer world. Also, urging leaders to keep tabs on health inequalities and ensure everyone has access to quality health services when and where needed.
Currently, at least half of the world population lack full coverage for essential health services they need and about a hundred million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health. Immunization coverage remains at eighty-five per cent which still leaves millions of children vulnerable to childhood illnesses and premature deaths. These data goes to show the depth of the inequality in health care accessibility and delivery. To build a better world, these must change that is why WHO calls on world leaders to take action.
How can the gap be reduced?
- World leaders need to work hand in hand with affected communities and individuals to address the root causes of inequalities and to implement solutions within and beyond the health, sector to address them.
- Ensure collection and use of timely and reliable health data to assess inequalities across population subgroups and take actions that have an impact.
- Tackle the root causes of inequalities and increase investment in primary health care.
- Act beyond national borders by strengthening national and international mechanisms and building community trust and participation into healthcare delivery and uptake to ensure access for all globally.
The impact of these actions will be greatest when governments and communities work together, in a coordinated approach. This is key to meeting today’s challenges of ensuring Health for All and to building the resilience of tomorrow. Together we can build a healthier and fairer world.
