Universal health coverage: breakthrough or great white elephant?

Area of Science:

• Global Health Policy
• Health Economics
• Public Health Implementation Science

Background:

• Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims for universal health coverage (UHC), including access to quality services and medicines.
• The sub-goal's implementation presents challenges and uncertainties regarding its ultimate success.
• Historical context of global and national health priorities since the World Health Organization's inception is crucial for analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the potential outcomes of achieving UHC by 2030.
• To explore the implementation pathways and influencing factors of the UHC agenda.
• To analyze the interplay between global health agendas and Ghana's national health priorities.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive desk review of relevant literature and policy documents.
• Analysis of dominant ideas, ideology, institutions, and interests shaping health priorities.
• Historical analysis of health policy in Ghana since 1948 in relation to global trends.

Main Results:

• The study identifies key ideological, institutional, and interest-based factors influencing UHC implementation.
• Analysis reveals potential conflicts and synergies between global health goals and national health priorities in Ghana.
• The research highlights specific implementation challenges and opportunities for achieving UHC.

Conclusions:

• The success of SDG 3's UHC sub-goal in Ghana is contingent upon navigating complex global and national dynamics.
• Understanding historical contexts and stakeholder interests is vital for effective implementation.
• The study provides insights into whether UHC will be a breakthrough or a 'white elephant' in 2030.