World Bank
How we planned to achieve healthier, affordable life for 1.5 billion people, by World Bank
The scale of the global health challenge is staggering. Global megatrends—such as decreasing investments in health systems, climate change, and aging populations—are making it harder to access quality, affordable health care. Over half of the world’s population lack access to essential health services, and nearly 2 billion people face financial hardship due to the high costs of health care. Without access to essential health services, millions remain trapped in cycles of poverty. This lack of opportunity stifles human potential and economic growth. Good health means improved quality of life, increased access to education and employment, and greater resilience in the face of future crises.
Over the past few years, some countries have made important gains despite challenges. For example, in Pakistan, where millions of people face impoverishment due to health care expenses, the World Bank is supporting health financing reforms to make government spending more efficient and sustainable.
Côte d’Ivoire, with the support of the World Bank and the Global Financing Facility, is implementing a nationwide health reform leading to a rapid increase in the quality and utilization of key services with over 3,000 new health workers recruited since 2022, and more than 640 health facilities built or rehabilitated in 2023.
Samoa, a small island state that bears the brunt of multiple vulnerabilities, including climate change, is addressing its non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis with a whole-of-country approach, decentralized resources, and more community outreach, expanding access to health screening and services, especially in rural areas.
Reaching 1.5 billion people by 2030
These examples show that change is possible despite challenges if we are serious and ambitious and choose the right entry points, engagements, and partnerships. That’s why earlier this year, the World Bank Group set an ambitious target to support countries in delivering quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Our commitment is to support countries to deliver quality services, including by spending money better and more effectively and increasing sustainable financing for health. It’s about addressing immediate needs while also building the foundation for long-term, sustainable improvements.
First, we are supporting countries to reach more people within communities, particularly finding the populations that are excluded from accessing key services. We need to find who they are, where they are and what challenges they face accessing services, including health, education and financial services.
Second, we are expanding the scope of services in response to changing demographics that lead to changing health needs. This includes essential women’s and children’s health and nutrition services in countries with fast-growing youth populations, but also services to address the growing burden of NCDs and long-term care needs associated with aging populations. We need to focus on primary health care and community health, because that’s where we can reach most people. But we also need new delivery models and more innovations such as digital platforms and telemedicine.
Third, we are making every effort to reduce financial barriers to health care access so that families do not have to choose between lifesaving care and putting food on the table. For example, reducing fees at the point of care for key services and strengthening social protection to ensure people are supported regardless of where they live and what their employment status is. We will also need to look at removing hidden costs like transportation to get to health centers.
Translating commitment to action
The successful replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) will provide us with crucial resources for our work with the poorest countries to accelerate the expansion of quality health, nutrition, and population services and strengthen country capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
In tandem with IDA, the Global Financing Facility can help drive more and better financing in support of improved health and nutrition outcomes for women, children, and adolescents, a critical pathway to reaching the 1.5 billion people.
Additionally, we continue to work across sectors as One World Bank, scaling up financing for public health reforms and utilizing private sector innovation to support universal health coverage (UHC) goals. Our new corporate scorecard will hold us accountable by monitoring the number of people reached with quality health services through World Bank-financed operations.
The power of partnerships
Achieving our target requires strong partnerships. We are collaborating with governments, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to ensure progress.
We launched the Health System Transformation and Resilience Fund, which will reach $100 million by the end of 2024. The Fund addresses country demand for UHC investments and facilitates collaboration between donors and foundations.
In partnership with Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO), we are establishing a UHC Knowledge Hub in Japan. This Hub will support knowledge sharing and capacity development for health and finance authorities, leveraging the expertise of the World Bank, WHO, and Japan towards UHC.
We are also facilitating co-financing opportunities with Gavi, the Global Fund, and other multilateral development banks to scale up health efforts. Additionally, we are working with foundations to bring evidence and innovations to scale
The challenges in achieving UHC are immense, but the opportunity is even greater. Ensuring universal access to health services has the power to transform the lives of billions of people and unlock the full potential of nations. We are committed to this goal, but we cannot do it alone. We are calling on all development partners to join our mission to make health accessible and affordable to more people. By working together, we can build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous world for all.