Annual report on monitoring progress on UHC and health-related SDGs

Abstract

This is the fifth annual report on progress in universal health coverage (‎UHC)‎ and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (‎SDGs)‎, now in close alignment between the health-related SDGs and the WHO Thirteenth General Programme of Work (‎GPW13)‎ results framework. On UHC, there has been improvement in essential service coverage in all Member States of the Region, but there is a need to accelerate. On financial protection, significant and strategic efforts are needed to reduce the proportion of households facing catastrophic spending to meet health-care needs.Progress continues on reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health, and most communicable diseases. Five Member States have reached the SDG target for under-5 mortality. Tuberculosis (‎TB)‎ remains a concern, with mortality from the disease rising in three Member States. On noncommunicable diseases, there is a decline in tobacco use, but there is much less progress on other risk factors including alcohol, where consumption is rising. Case detection and treatment for hypertension and diabetes are expanding, but greater coverage is needed. This year’s report includes a snapshot on quality of services.This Working Paper was presented to the High-Level Preparatory Meeting in July 2020 for its review and recommendations. The HLP Meeting reviewed the paper and made the following recommendations for the consideration of the Seventy-third Session of the Regional Committee.Actions by Member States(‎1)‎ Continue to develop and implement policies, strategies and actions to advance UHC and the health-related SDGs, with a focus on delivery of essential services, and additional focus on health security/emergency preparedness given the COVID-19 context.(‎2)‎ Maintain and enhance monitoring of UHC and health-related SDGs in the context of COVID-19 and beyond within national monitoring and evaluation frameworks to strengthen accountability and transparency.(‎3)‎ Enhance institutional capacity to compile, share, disaggregate, analyse, disseminate and use reliable UHC and health-related SDG data and indicators, particularly to monitor trends, assess health inequalities and take corrective measures.(‎4)‎ Proactively participate in the consultations on the Draft Global Patient Safety Action Plan (‎GPSAP)‎.Actions by WHO(‎1)‎ Continue producing the annual report, updating the report’s core country data on UHC and all other health-related SDG targets, plus provide a focus on selected emerging trends and themes in each report.(‎2)‎ Enhance translation and analysis of data and indicators and improve the use of data for decision-making through cross-country cooperation, training, workshops and courses, and evaluation and sharing of experiences.(‎3)‎ Support the participation of SEA Region Member States in the consultations on the Draft Global Patient Safety Action Plan (‎GPSAP)‎.(‎4)‎ Propose a draft decision for pre-agreement of Member States under the written silence procedure for consideration and adoption at the Seventy-third Session of the Regional Committee, requesting the Regional Director to convene a Regional Consultation with Member States and other stakeholders to consider the draft Global Patient Safety Action Plan, in order to prioritize regional actions that are aligned with the Regional Strategy and country-specific contexts.This Working Paper with the HLP Meeting recommendations is submitted to the Seventy-third Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia for its consideration and decision.