Improving Universal Health Coverage: Optimism or Pessimism for Vulnerable Population in Emergency Crises?

Abstract

It has been recently revealed that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has increased from 45% in 2000 to 66% in 2017 ,with commendable achievements, particularly, in increased life expectancies and a decreased maternal and child mortality rates. This follows the international community's renewed commitment to tackle the challenges countries face, through the Sustainable Development Goals. This includes UHC which is supposed to be achieved by 2030. UHC aims at ensuring equitable, quality, and affordable health services for everybody, in order not to suffer financial hardship. However, this paper raises concern on how effectively the progress has been attained so far, and serves the goal of financial risk protection and access to quality health services for the vulnerable in emergency crises. This is because they are often severely disadvantaged due to numerous conditions aggravated by the political, economic, social, structural, or geographical factors.