According to the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO), a minimum of 1/2 of the world’s populace can not reap critical fitness services. With that quantity growing yearly the price of healthcare is pushing households into poverty due out of the pocket price for healthcare in step with family.

Universal healthcare insurance is an answer proposed via way of means of De. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director of WHO. With over 800 million human beings global spending ten percent of family budgets on healthcare insurance to reap take care of their family need, one hundred million of these human beings the edge of intense poverty

In a discussion with people from across the world about healthcare cost and access, Christine from Scotland shared that the United Kingdom has a tremendous Nation Health Service, (NHS) where everything is free. In the UK the NHS is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare system which was established in 1948. Christine suggests that healthcare globally must go back to the basics of general practice practicing medicine in order for people to have access to care.

On a similar note, Maria & Henrick, citizens of Sweden shared, that their healthcare system is different from the healthcare system in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Sweden’s life expectancy is better than life expectancy is better in comparison to that of Germany, the UK, and the US but while healthcare is more accessible, it does come at the cost of long waiting lists which is an issue as it relates to patients in need of emergency surgeries. In fact, in 2016 Sweden developed a plan to adopt e-health through 2025 to further improve its health services.

Grace a citizen from China shared “healthcare is a human right. The government needs to invest more to improve citizens health and wellbeing”. In China, the average annual cost for healthcare coverage is $7 USD with the New Rural Co-operative Medical Care System. Even so, a portion of the coverage is paid for by the central government, another paid by the provincial government, and the remaining out-of-pocket cost to patients is 0.087 USD. The dilemma China faces with their healthcare system is the divide between Western and Traditional medicine practice which is reflected in practitioners training and services which ultimately the choice is left to the patient.

In line with different systems and access points to healthcare, Tim from England is in support of patients having access to healthcare without needing to have a structural barrier such as health plan suggesting, “when someone gets sick you simply go to the doctor you want. It doesn’t have to be certain system; you pay them in cash”. England which has the NHS in place enables all citizens to be enrolled in free public healthcare to access preventive medicine, primary care, and hospital services.

Another country making healthcare accessible to its citizen in Mexico. Francisco from Mexico shares “In my country the medicine is free. The healthcare is free so it’s great for us”. Mexican citizens have three options for healthcare coverage: The Ministry of Health, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), and the Mexican Children’s Hospital. The Ministry of Health covers vulnerable populations, and people not covered through the employees of the private sector IMSS. IMSS covers private-sector employees. The Children’s Hospital is a part of the National Health Institutes which typically offers highly specialized services. Mexico’s. Like the US, Mexico health system faces the challenge of health disparities due to socioeconomic barriers for low-income Mexicans.

In South Africa, political changes are having a direct impact on healthcare. Verna, a South African mentioned, “Since our government has changed, not as much money is being put into healthcare”. 27% of South Africans have private insurance, while 71% are covered by the public sector. With a two-tiered unequal healthcare system, health inequities are prevalent as most cannot afford private insurance. Rural communities suffer the most from facing inequitable access to quality care.

Despite Spain’s single-payer healthcare system being ranked seventh-best in the world by WHO, Mariam a Spaniard shared that the country’s National Healthcare System is quite controversial “people feel that it’s underfunded & over strengthened”. How people access to care in Spain is determined by the NHS system, long wait time. Delays and a lack of flexibility are some of the issues citizens faces. However, residents can go to any hospital to access care, prescriptions are covered or discounted, and services are expert level.

India offers free health services; however, treatment is limited due to understaffing, lack of equipment, and location. Many reports showed the country’s healthcare system lacking infrastructure and transparency for better care and access for patients. However, in comparison to the US, Sonali shares “healthcare in India is simpler than it is in New York. we can go to the hospitals easily; we don’t have to wait on-line”.

To sum it up, patients worldwide need access to care, some countries have provided that access some barriers still exist. The opinions shared in this article are that of the respective speakers shared to promote global health discussion on healthcare access.