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The private sector has an important role to play in achieving universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries – Global issues

  • Idea by Massimiliano Colella (dubai, united arab emirates)
  • Joint press service

Even before the pandemic hit, healthcare financing was still strained, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As of 2020, it is estimated that African countries spend between US$8 and US$129 per capita on health, compared with high-income countries, where the average spending is around $4,000.

The situation is similar in the low-income countries of South Asia, where per capita health expenditure is US$247. Achieving improved health is a costly and multi-country endeavor. low- and middle-income earners have limited financial means to do this successfully.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many gaps in the world’s healthcare and public funding systems. But now, attention is turning to the recovery in both the health and economic sectors. Recognizing this will require enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors, including organizations such as Evercare Group, to help deliver resilient and equitable healthcare systems. around the developing world.

The pandemic has demonstrated how the private sector can effectively work with governments to address growing healthcare needs. As the coronavirus threat begins to ease, it will be important to maintain this public-private partnership to address longer-term challenges and identify key opportunities.

Partnerships are critical to achieving the health-related goals and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The private sector can help play a pivotal role in achieving UHC in emerging markets, working with the public sector to support government delivery of healthcare services.

This can be done through specific deliberate efforts. One of them is to reconfigure purchase agreements. In recent years, there has been increasing debate about the importance of investments for sustainable development, and the ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generation.

This is where the private sector can play an important role – meaning that any investment by private companies is made in a sustainable manner to avoid accumulating more public debt while meeting new and growing needs of patients.

The private sector can also help provide parallel funding so that government resources can meet the needs of a large population. For example, during a pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers is extremely scarce.

We see private businesses meeting this shortfall, by importing PPE kits and distributing them to medical facilities. This was made possible because private operators were able to leverage their business network and at the same time see more flexibility in their processes.

During the pandemic, we have seen that the private sector plays an important role in addressing resource shortfalls throughout the supply chain – as private sector service delivery takes a long time. the entire medical value chain, from finance and production (diagnostic equipment, hospital beds, scanners, personnel kits, etc.) to distribution and retail.

The role of the private sector is to adopt an integrated approach to the organization and delivery of care, subject to the highest standards of quality and efficiency for patients.

On innovation, the private sector is once again at the forefront, doing research and development and improving accessibility by scaling innovation. This sector can equally help advise on government policy, guide investment when there is a gap in research and innovation. Regarding personnel, there is always room and opportunity to continue training personnel in the industry.

All of these actions help make strides in achieving Universal Health Coverage, which is already challenged by high levels of health care inequality, lack of comprehensive data from rural to urban areas and limited financial protection for communities against the growing debt burden in emerging markets.

Private healthcare delivery exists in all countries and is the primary source of care for the world’s poor, accounting for 40% of total global health spending and approximately 60%. in low-income countries. Although Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have adopted the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) agenda, they will not be able to achieve these goals through provide public sector services.

It is therefore imperative that both the public sector and private stakeholders in the healthcare sector work together, with integrated efforts to realize the vision of a healthy and happy life for all. people of all ages.

Massimiliano Colella is the CEO of Evercare

IPS UN Office


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© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service

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