Abstract
Universal Health Coverage has attracted global attention as an ideal vehicle that will drive health care services to the individuals, families, and communities globally. Good health systems are capable of serving the needs of entire populations, including the availability of infrastructure, human resources, health technologies, and medicines. This study seeks to identify the barriers and challenges which have hindered the provision of basic health care to communities and suggest ways of addressing some of them. Literature search reviewed 40 materials which were more relevant. Results revealed that there have been disparities in the provision of healthcare. Challenges in service provision include; lack of political commitment, weak health system resulting from limited financial allocation and poor leadership, lack of adequate number of skilled human resources, equipment and supplies and poor infrastructures. For UHC to be successful, an effective and well-functioning Primary Health Care (PHC) system is essential. Thus health systems can be strengthened through financial allocation; training of skilled and well-motivated healthcare workers. Also provision of right equipment and supplies, equity in resource distribution, improvement of infrastructures to meet the needs of the people is fundamental.
Highlights
Universal Health Coverage is a concept which has gained prominence in the recent past as it promises to deliver highly needed care to individuals, families and communities globally
Health system strengthening framework is fundamental in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which lies at the centre of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 on health
Making progress towards UHC is an ongoing process for every country as they work to ensure that all people receive the health services they need without experiencing financial hardship
Summary
Universal Health Coverage is a concept which has gained prominence in the recent past as it promises to deliver highly needed care to individuals, families and communities globally. Governments should develop investment plans for the physical and human infrastructure needed to deliver benefits This plan should include training and retraining for a sufficient number of health workers and the construction of health facilities and hospitals with clean water and power, medical equipment, laboratories, and management and information systems. The experience of countries around the world shows that the process will take a decade or more to complete and will require continued political will and international support (Marmot, 2013; Tantivess et al, 2013) No doubt that these efforts can lead to success, and mobilise commitment to the right of all people to access quality health care regardless of their ability to pay.
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