The World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed that over five hundred million people in the world are becoming extremely poor due to the high costs of health treatments.
Brand News Day Nigeria reports that WHO made this disclosure that about half a billion people globally have been pushed to poverty as a result of inadequate finances of health sectors by governments are leading citizens to spend from their purses.
The claim was made in a joint compilation of evidence by the World Health Organization and the World Bank. Notably, the surveys revealed that there are chances that the Covid-19 pandemic might bring to an end years of global prosperity towards universal health coverage. ”This time we must build health systems that are strong enough to withstand shocks, such as the next pandemic, and stay on course towards universal health coverage.”
The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “All governments must immediately resume and accelerate efforts to ensure every one of their citizens can access health services without fear of the financial consequences.”
All Governments Must Ensure Every Citizen Can Access Health Services – WHO
Tedros who appealed governments across the world to direct efforts towards strengthening public spending on health and social support and also increasing focus on primary health care systems that can provide essential care close to home.
The WHO DG further said: “Prior to the pandemic, many countries had made progress. But it was not robust enough. This time we must build health systems that are strong enough to withstand shocks, such as the next pandemic, and stay on course towards universal health coverage.”
Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population, World Bank said: “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, almost 1 billion people were spending more than 10 per cent of their household budget on health.
”Within a constrained fiscal space, governments will have to make tough choices to protect and increase health budgets”.
The WHO/World Bank further warns that financial hardship is likely to become more intense as poverty grows, incomes fall, and governments face tighter fiscal constraints.
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