The CARICOM Quasi Cabinet recently held a High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, titled “Expanding Our Ambition for Health and Well-Being in a Post-COVID World,” during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting brought together world leaders, policymakers, and experts in healthcare to address the crucial issues surrounding universal health coverage, particularly in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, who is also the Lead Head responsible for Human Resource Development, Health, and HIV/AIDS in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, shared the CARICOM resolution with the attendees.
In his address, Dr. Drew emphasized the significance of universal health coverage and its impact on global well-being. He stated, “Four years ago, we committed to moving together to build a healthier world through universal health coverage. Sadly, at the current pace of progress, up to one-third of the world’s population will remain underserved by 2030, and there has been minimal or no progress on service coverage since 2019, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Drew also highlighted the pressing need to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in order to fully realize universal health coverage on a global scale. He stated, “Non-communicable diseases account for 74% of all deaths worldwide, and universal health coverage cannot be fully realized until NCD prevention and control are addressed, globally, in a comprehensive manner. CARICOM, as a region with a high non-communicable disease burden, continues to prioritize primary and specialized health services for the prevention, screening, treatment, and control of NCDs, including risk factor reduction and prevention, in its health policies. We will continue to champion this cause.”
Dr. Drew also emphasized the urgent need for collective action, especially in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure access to essential health services for all. He expressed concern over the impact of health expenses on poverty, stating, “It is a fact that ill health can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty. This is the reality. We are deeply concerned that 4.4% of the global population in 2019 was pushed further into extreme poverty due to out-of-pocket health expenses. It is likely that this number substantially increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We must ensure the realization of everyone’s right, especially the poor and vulnerable, to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, without financial hardship.”
The High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage serves as an important platform for shaping the future of healthcare in the CARICOM region. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew’s active involvement in this initiative reflects his commitment to the well-being and prosperity of the people he serves, both in Saint Kitts and Nevis and throughout the wider CARICOM region.