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W e are to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, and yet children across the world continue to face a multitude of crises. Those most affected by inequality and discrimination are disproportionately suffering from the debilitating already at the halfway point consequences of continued conflict, economic instability and a deepening climate emergency. SDG3 – the right to Health For All – builds on the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by United Nations members 75 years ago and aims to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. Regrettably we are at very high risk of failing to reach this goal. Not only is progress too slow, but we are also observing the reversal of some of the great gains made in recent decades in improving children’s health, nutrition and well-being. Globally, one in every 23 people needs humanitarian assistance to survive. Less than 20% of the humanitarian funding required to ensure children and communities can access life-saving health care is available. Healthcare workers take enormous risks to care for populations experiencing crisis, and routine health services including immunisation are far too often subject to disruption. Inequitable access to basic health and nutrition services makes achieving universal health coverage a far-off reality unless urgent efforts are undertaken to systematically address the challenges identified. Health workers continue to face significant obstacles in reaching the most vulnerable children and communities. Weak health infrastructure
means people and facilities are often far apart, and investment in supporting, training and retaining our health workforce is often lacking – yet health workers persevere under difficult circumstances. The global community must honour this dedication, and likewise go the last mile in delivering on commitments to achieve the right to Health For All. A CRITICAL YEAR This year, 2023, is a critical one in this journey – as you read this, the second High Level Meeting for Universal Health Coverage will have taken place at the UN General Assembly in New York. We know that delivering on universal health coverage is essential for ending preventable childhood deaths and ensuring well-being so that children can thrive. Each year, more than 5 million children die before their fifth birthday from preventable and treatable causes, many of which result from a lack of access to affordable health, nutrition and sanitation. In 2021, 25 million children missed out entirely on routine vaccinations, a figure that is slowly recovering – 4 million more children were reached last year but 20.5 million children still missed out in 2022. Catching up on immunisations, building support for breastfeeding and addressing the 80% of malnourished children who lack access to treatment would go a long way in addressing these shortfalls and limit the 50% of under-five deaths attributable to malnutrition. Achieving Health For All is complex in crisis contexts with collapsing or overwhelmed health systems – where the concept of achieving universal health coverage remains
Nothing about us without us The world’s children are facing deadly consequences from fragmented and failing health systems and a world at high risk of failing to meet SDG3: the right to Health For All. Only accelerated, concerted efforts can help
By Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children International
a distant vision. Save the Children sees this
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