Health Systems and Health Sectors
Health Systems and Health Sectors
A health system, also known as a healthcare system, refers to the organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver healthcare services to meet the health needs of target populations. There are many types of health systems around the world along with many different organizational structures. However, health systems encompass both the direct care of individuals and the broader infrastructure necessary for health, such as public health interventions and the regulatory environment.
In comparison, a health sector is a subset of the larger system that includes the organizations, people, and actions whose primary intent is to promote, restore, or maintain health. This includes efforts to influence determinants of health as well as more direct health-improving activities. The health sector may include public health initiatives, health care facilities, health education programs, and more (Karliner et al., 2020).
Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a concept where all individuals and communities have access to needed health services without suffering financial hardship. It includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health...
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies UHC as a key goal for health systems (Udoh et al., 2020).
UHC would promote access to healthcare and medicines significantly compared to the present system globally. Currently, healthcare access is...
…are often unequally distributed, leading to shortages in underserved areas. When hospitals are established, working conditions are often poor and
compensation is low. In various parts of the world, health workers often face challenging working conditions, including long hours, high stress, and low pay, leading to burnout and turnover. Thus, health professionals often migrate from low- and middle-income countries to high-income countries for better opportunities and working conditions, leading to "brain drain" in the countries that may need these workers the most. Addressing this shortage is critical for achieving UHC and improving health globally. Strategies should include improving health worker training and
recruitment, offering incentives to work in underserved areas, and improving working…
