Global South's Health Coverage in Jeopardy: A Call to Action at G20 Meeting

The Global South's universal health coverage faces challenges due to diverted financing and rising costs, as highlighted at the G20 Health Working Group meeting in South Africa. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi emphasized reversing this decline by advocating for strategic health investments and debt restructuring to prioritize public health.

Universal health coverage in the Global South is at risk due to decreased financing, as funds are being redirected to other priorities, revealed host South Africa at the second G20 Health Working Group meeting on Wednesday.

This three-day meeting, part of a broader series of G20 events held under South Africa's presidency, highlighted troubling trends. South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi pointed to declining global health budgets coupled with increasing costs as major concerns, particularly affecting nations burdened by unsustainable debt.

Minister Motsoaledi called for a reversal of these trends, urging G20 members to view health expenditure as an investment rather than a cost. Emphasizing debt relief, he advocated for efficient and equitable health spending, in line with the Lusaka agreement's commitment to strengthening health systems and healthcare access.

(With inputs from agencies.)