International Working Group for Health Systems Strengthening

Health is the heartbeat of society, and only by taking immediate, concrete steps and sustained effort towards investing in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, disease prevention and
control, and upholding global multilateralism can we ensure that ‘Health for All’ becomes a reality and not just rhetoric.

Taofeekat Adigun, IWG Volunteer

The pursuit of health equity has been a recurring theme in global health. While there have been notable advancements in the field of global health, progress has not been uniform, with many regions of the world experiencing stalled and even reversed progress. Public health crises continue to persist, with deeply ingrained health inequalities spanning regions, populations, and nations. Millions of preventable deaths occur each year as a result of these inequalities, which are sustained by a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental variables that deny half of the world’s population access to basic healthcare services.

These disparities are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where poverty, weak health systems, and infrastructure deficiencies, create significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. Vulnerable populations, including women and children, face particularly dire health outcomes, and maternal mortality rates continue to soar. Given these sobering facts, one must ask: Are we really moving closer to attaining health equity, or is this goal merely a hollow platitude? Achieving this goal still poses a significant difficulty, with the current global health trajectory.

Global health crises, from pandemics to natural disasters occurring in Turkey and conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine, have had a profound impact on healthcare systems worldwide. These crises have triggered forced mass displacement, poor health outcomes, food and water shortages, and widespread economic disruptions. Moreover, they have highlighted the striking power imbalance in global health decision-making and outcomes, with the Global South region bearing the brunt of the crises. The present prospect for achieving “Health for All” has become clouded, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, due to the increased health risks brought on by climate change, a shortage of healthcare workforce, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath. Long-lasting crises’ effects and relative underdevelopment significantly influence local and national health outcomes primarily affecting marginalized populations.

The Future of Health Equity

The future of health equity is at a crossroads, with the current reality presenting a plethora of global health crises. The stakes are high as we deal with these crises, necessitating more from us than just acknowledging the difficulties we currently face. To achieve health equality, we must adopt a more comprehensive, person-centered strategy that takes into account the social, economic, and environmental influences on health. This necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening primary healthcare delivery systems through universal health coverage, making investments in health promotion, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. The burden of out-of-pocket payments must also be addressed to make healthcare truly accessible to all. But it doesn’t end there. Additionally, we must incorporate open systems, transparent policy processes, and financing mechanisms for disease management, improve disease surveillance and response,  invest in health education, and proactively plan for “One Health” to address the interconnections of the environment, climate crisis, and health determinants on all fronts.

Innovative technologies, research, and data-driven decision-making have immense potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and tackle health challenges. For instance, African countries can effectively leverage digital health technologies, and locally developed and context-specific digital health solutions to enhance healthcare access and outcomes, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas. Nonetheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential unintended consequences of these technologies in worsening health inequities. Hence, it is imperative to adopt proactive measures that address the digital gap and promote equitable access to healthcare technologies to ensure that they act as an equalizer rather than a further source of inequality.

On this World Health Day, as we reflect on the ongoing public health issues, we cannot afford to be complacent or rely on empty slogans. Instead, we must draw upon the lessons of past successes and failures, confront the challenges of the present head-on, and work together towards a more equitable and resilient health system that serves everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Health is the heartbeat of society, and only by taking immediate, concrete steps and sustained effort towards investing in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, disease prevention and control, and upholding global multilateralism can we ensure that Health for All becomes a reality and not just rhetoric.