Despite progress, significant challenges hinder the realization of SDG 3
Nilambar Rath
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action to create a better world for all. Among the 17 goals, SDG 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages – is critical to achieving global health equity. This goal addresses the significant disparities in healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women, children, the older generation and the impoverished.
SDG 3: A Comprehensive Solution
SDG 3 comprises nine targets:
- Reduce maternal mortality
- End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5
- Fight communicable diseases (HIV, TB, malaria)
- Reduce non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes)
- Strengthen mental health
- Ensure healthcare access for all
- Achieve universal health coverage
- Reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals
- Support research and development for health technologies
These targets are interconnected and require a multi-faceted approach to achieve. Governments, healthcare providers, international organizations, the private sector, civil society and local communities must work together to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing.
Current Challenges
Despite progress, significant challenges hinder the realization of SDG 3. The world faces a shortage of 18 million healthcare workers, with the most severe shortages in low-income countries. Additionally, 400 million people lack access to essential healthcare services and 150 million face financial ruin due to healthcare costs. Maternal mortality claims over 3,00,000 lives annually and 5.9 million children under 5 die from preventable diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed weaknesses in global healthcare systems, highlighting the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce training and digital health solutions.
Global Leaders’ Call to Action
“Health is a fundamental human right, and it’s essential for achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals,” says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General.
“Universal health coverage is the key to achieving SDG 3. It’s not just about health; it’s about economic growth, social justice and human dignity,” says Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Epidemiologist at WHO.
WHO’s Perspective: A Call for Action
The World Health Organization emphasizes the urgency of achieving SDG 3.
“The world has made significant progress in improving health outcomes, but we still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Tedros. “We need to accelerate progress, address the social determinants of health and ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare”.
WHO calls on governments, international organizations and civil society to:
- Invest in healthcare infrastructure and workforce training
- Strengthen primary healthcare and community-based services
- Promote digital health solutions and innovation
- Address social determinants of health, such as poverty and inequality
Implementation Strategies
Effective implementation demands:
Universal health coverage ensures equitable access to healthcare. Strengthening primary healthcare and leveraging digital health solutions can improve healthcare delivery. Investing in health workforce training and capacity building is also crucial.
Progress and the Path Forward
Since 2000, global maternal mortality has decreased by 38% and under-5 mortality has reduced by 44%. However, much work remains to be done. SDG 3 is pivotal in addressing global healthcare disparities. Collaborative action, effective implementation strategies and sustained commitment are essential.
Join the movement. Support healthcare initiatives, advocate for policy changes and contribute to achieving SDG 3. Together, we can create a world where everyone has access to quality healthcare.
(The author is a senior journalist, communication specialist and an expert working in the area of ‘media & communication for development’. Views expressed are personal.)
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