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July 13 Twitter chat

Anwesha Patel

In 2015, countries around the world, including India, adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim to achieve them by 2030.

Goal 8 of these 17 #GlobalGoals is to ensure good health and well-being of people of all ages across the globe, and one of the targets of this health goal is to “achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.”

As Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) says, “No one should get sick and die just because they are poor, or because they cannot access the health services they need.”

On July 13, 2018, Youth Ki Awaaz in association with WHO India hosted a Twitter chat on Universal Health Coverage to understand how #HealthForAll can be turned into a reality.

The four experts, A B C D,

In case you missed the Twitter chat, here are some highlights:

What is Universal Health Coverage?

@sanchx, the Health and Science Editor of @htTweets : Ensuring equitable access for all Indians to affordable, accountable, appropriate and quality health services. Services must be provided to all, regardless of income, social status, gender, caste or religion.

How digital technology can play a key role in contributing to #UniversalHealthCoverage in a country with a 1.3 billion population

@priydee: For large & diverse populations, #UniversalHealthCoverage demands standardisation, localisation, and personalisation, which need to be designed for and delivered at scale. Digital technologies help us achieve all those in the most cost-effective manner.

Population Foundation Of India chipped in with: There are emerging apps which have a number of specialists on board- acting like a helpline of sorts. Patients can call up and outline their issue which would then redirect them to concerned consultants.

Twitter user @PhysicianRural had some more app suggestions:

How diverse communities can be engaged for stronger health outcomes in India

@priydee: Partnering with community organisations in planning & design of #UniversalHealthCare solutions is critical to achieving people-centred, integrated health services that deliver quality, access, equity & accountability. Real world communities increasingly overlap with digital communities, providing inexpensive, efficient, standardized and yet personalized ways of engaging people in achieving. Digital tools are also very effective in empowering and equipping communities with knowledge of their rights and entitlements, so that they can collectively demand access to quality, cost-effective and equitable health services.

@OxfamIndia chipped in with a superb input, We often under-value contributions by local and tribal communities.

YKA: What are the 3 areas in healthcare where technology can play an important role to help us move towards #HealthForAll?

YKA: How do you see government initiatives like constructing toilets and the #SwachhBharat Tax addressing public health concerns in India?

@sanchx: 

Lessons India can adopt from other countries in the area of using technology to create awareness on preventive healthcare

@priydee: Lots to learn. Linking HRIS to HMIS. Manage chronic conditions by linking health tech with comms for patient self-management; healthcare provider alerts to changes in patients’ condition & treatment adherence, especially for chronic conditions. Also consider AI for on-demand interaction with doctor, digital supply chains, process automation to free up services providers to provide care rather than documenting it.

@PFI3: Reliable research databases like PubMed provide accurate and reliable medical information, just a click away. In developed countries, especially in the USA, the health insurance companies, despite their shortcomings, play a big role in ensuring that patients have access to the right information starting from diagnosis to treatment.

Next @IasAlok, Adviser (Health and Nutrition) at @NITIAayog discussed India’s health policies as well as how we can inch closer to achieving #Goal3 of the SDGs.

YKA: How do you rate India’s infrastructure progress when it comes to facilitating delivery of quality healthcare services?

@IasAlok: India’s health outcomes have moved in the right direction; MMR has declined by over 3/4th over 1990 levels to 130, U5MR has declined nearly by 2/3rd to 43 over the same period. Driven largely with the strengthening of Public health infra under NHM, particularly at SCs,PHC , CHC & DHs. Institutional deliveries have doubled over the last decade; increased immunization and antenatal checkups; 24×7 First Referral Units, SNCUs & a focus on Quality of Care.

YKA: What are the key components of Ayushman Bharat Programme?

@IasAlok: #AyushmanBharat has twin missions: Health & Wellness Centres & the health insurance component: 1st to operationalize 1.5 lac H&WCs offering a comprehensive preventive & primary care; with access to free drugs & diagnostics and referral to higher levels of care.

Twitter user @dpkryan had a valid question to ask:

@OxfamIndia replied:

YKA to @IasAlok: Do you feel that the proposed NHPM can widen its scope beyond hospitalisation to include cost of buying important life-saving drugs from pharmacies for poor patients?

YKA: How is @NITIAayog contributing to ensure that Goal 3 of the #SDGs become a reality for millions of Indians?

 

What role can mainstream media play to advance #UHC

@sanchx: Media must identify gaps in #publichealth delivery for quick course correction and celebrate successes that can be scaled up to benefit more people. Correct and unbiased reporting can help identify gaps in delivery and best practices to improve #publichealth services and reach the under-served. Mass media and communication, including social media, should be used to share correct information about the services available and people’s rights as citizens.

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