Access to health care

Access to health care is an important and essential right for all individuals regardless of their socioeconomic status. It encompasses the ability to receive preventive, curative, palliative, rehabilitative and mental healthcare services when needed; in a timely manner; at an affordable cost; with minimal or no financial hardship.

Since its inception as part of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) constitution in 1948, access to quality healthcare has been recognized globally as a fundamental human right. In response countries have developed national health systems that are intended to meet citizens’ needs for medical care without incurring severe financial hardship due to costs associated with accessing it. Despite these efforts inequalities still exist between different regions and social groups leading some people having restricted access or none at all.

Factors such as poverty level income levels geographic location cultural beliefs gender disparity educational attainment political influences financing mechanisms provider availability type of insurance coverage can impede on one’s ability gain access too health care services . The lack or limited resources available often leads many vulnerable populations i:e rural poor elderly disabled minorities etc forced rationing downgrading treatments which may lead deterioration overall population well-being

To ensure universal accessibility various policies strategies initiatives have implemented around world including but not limited : reducing out-of-pocket expenditures increasing public funds providing free basic services enforcing compulsory insurance schemes subsidizing premiums improving infrastructure expanding networks referral systems developing telemedicine capacity building staff training enhancing digitalization making use technology improve service delivery utilizing new models primary prevention

Governments must also address underlying determinants affect peoples’ utilization system by ensuring that necessary prerequisites socio economic conditions fulfilled example adequate housing nutrition education reduce risk factors diseases eliminate disparities within society make sure everyone entitled equal opportunity good quality life . Ultimately only through collaborative effort involving governments private sector civil society organizations NGOs international bodies will be able achieve desired goal improved accessible equitable global health system better serve patients families communities worldwide