The Globalization and Liberalization have brought about tremendous changes in the overall development scenario, consumption patterns and distribution of wealth throughout the world. While the rich are getting richer the poor have no hope of improving their lot. Health care delivery systems in many countries have become privatized. People have to spend a lot of money in order to avail of their services. It is a reality that a large chunks of population of the developing countries cannot afford the treatments at such hospitals resulting in loss of life, permanent handicaps and impairments. Recently the UN General Assembly on Dec 12, 2012 adopted a resolution on Universal Health Coverage and encouraged the governments of all nations to work out strategies to provide health care irrespective of economic condition of people. As per the document of the UN, “Universal Health Coverage (UHC) implies that all people, without discrimination, have access, to nationally determined sets of the needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative basic health services and essential, safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines.” Once the resolutions are adopted in the Economic and Social Council of UN by the Heads of different States, the way will be paved towards a workable health policy. However, the researchers, social welfare organizations and publically aware individuals will have to come forward to help the governments in planning the health care delivery systems in such a way so as every sick person can get the best treatment but would pay as per his capacity. The UN agencies will have to make it work especially in the underprivileged settings by helping financially as well as with workforce which is capable of helping the sick.
Professor S. P. Singh, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief, Human Biology Review
Former Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences,
Punjabi University, Patiala, India