Universal Health Coverage and the Pacific Islands: An Overview of Senior Leaders’ Discussions, Challenges, Priorities and Solutions, 2015–2020

Adam T. Craig, Kristen Beek, Katherine Gilbert, Taniela Sunia Soakai, Siaw-Teng Liaw and John J. Hall
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Adam T. Craig: School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Kristen Beek: School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Katherine Gilbert: Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Taniela Sunia Soakai: Public Health Division, Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji
Siaw-Teng Liaw: School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
John J. Hall: School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: In 1995, Pacific Health Ministers articulated their vision of a healthy Pacific as ‘a place where children are nurtured in body and mind; environments invite learning and leisure; people work and age with dignity; where ecological balance is a source of pride; and where the ocean is protected.’ Central to this vision is the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). To provide an indication of the UHC-related priorities of Pacific health authorities and promote alignment of domestic and international investments in health sector development, we thematically analyzed the discussion, resolutions, and recommendations from 5 years (2015–2020) of senior-level Pacific health meetings. Five main themes emerged: (i) the Healthy Islands vision has (and continues to have) a unifying influence on action for UHC; (ii) adoption of appropriate service delivery models that support integrated primary health care at the community level are needed; (iii) human resources for health are critical if efforts to achieve UHC are to be successful; (iv) access to reliable health information is core to health sector improvement; and (v) while not a panacea for all challenges, digital health offers many opportunities. Small and isolated populations, chronic workforce limitations, weak governance arrangements, ageing and inadequate health facilities, and supply chain and logistics difficulties (among other issues) interact to challenge primary health care delivery across the Pacific Islands. We found evidence that the Healthy Islands vision is a tool that garners support for UHC; however, to realize the vision, a realistic understanding of needed political, human resource, and economic investments is required. The significant disruptive effect of COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings for implementation of the medium- to long-term health development agenda raises concern that progress may stagnate or retreat.

Keywords: universal health coverage; Pacific Islands; primary health care; health systems; sustainable development goals; global health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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