Why Essential Access to Health Services Matters for Everyone
Access to quality healthcare services is a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by everyone, irrespective of their social status, ethnicity, or financial capability. Good health is an essential component of living a fulfilling life, and access to quality health services can help in achieving this. Over the years, several advancements have been made in healthcare, providing opportunities for people to seek medical assistance easily, and ultimately lead healthy lifestyles. However, access to healthcare for everyone still remains a challenge that needs to be addressed across the world.
The Importance of Essential Access to Health Services
Access to healthcare services is crucial because it enables individuals to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Many people avoid seeking medical advice or help due to the high cost of medical services or socioeconomic factors such as income and race. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 100 million people fall into poverty every year due to healthcare costs, mainly in developing countries.
Furthermore, access to healthcare decreases the risk of chronic diseases, improves life expectancy and reduces the burden on the economy. People who have access to essential healthcare services tend to be more productive compared to those who do not, reducing the economic costs related to lost productivity.
Challenges to Access to Health Services
Despite the importance of access to healthcare services, challenges still exist in making it accessible to everyone. These challenges include lack of infrastructure, shortages of trained healthcare professionals, inadequate funding, and socio-economic factors such as income and race.
In some developing countries, access to healthcare facilities is limited due to a lack of infrastructure, which includes a shortage of hospitals and medical equipment. Furthermore, shortages in trained healthcare professionals lead to overcrowding in healthcare facilities, resulting in long waiting times and substandard medical care.
Socioeconomic factors such as race and income also play a significant role in the accessibility of healthcare services. Individuals and families who live in poverty or are unemployed are less likely to receive quality healthcare services, leading to worsening health outcomes and the high risk of chronic diseases.
Examples of Essential Health Services and the Need for Access
Essential health services include primary care such as preventive care, maternal health, child immunization, and chronic disease management. These essential services are vital to achieving population health and ensuring quality of life. However, even with the importance of these services, access to them remains a challenge in many countries.
For example, in many Sub-Saharan African countries, maternal mortality rates are high due to poor access to quality maternal care. A significant reason for this is the lack of maternal healthcare facilities. This has led to a high maternal mortality rate of 547 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 50 times higher than in developed countries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, essential access to healthcare services matters for everyone. Access to quality healthcare is not only a fundamental human right but also vital to achieving the right to health, social justice, and healthcare equity. Governments must prioritize the provision of essential health services to ensure that everyone can access affordable and quality healthcare. Furthermore, it’s essential to address socioeconomic factors such as income and race that limit access to healthcare services. Taking these steps will help ensure that healthcare services are more accessible and positively impact the health and well-being of society as a whole.
