What first call attention at the 3rd edition of the Global Solutions Summit (GSS-2019) was the vibrant participation of the young generation. To future citizens current changes will have real significance. Recoupling was a key world for a paradigm change in the G20 new global agenda: multilateralism, inequalities, urbanization, financial architecture, labor division and new technologies.
The GSS-2019 had five sessions concerned to health systems. Three of them dedicated specifically to health care coverage and two session on the aging population challenges. Up to 2050, two billion people will be over 65 years old and 80% of them in developing countries. Social security policies and health systems preparedness are highly necessary.
The leaving no one behind approach of the 2030 Agenda reinforced the discussion on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). A draft Police Brief on new steps toward UHC was presented and opened for collaboration up to end of March, once it is still under preparation to be issued and discussed at the T20 Meeting (Think Community of the G20) next May in Japan.
Domestic financing, access to new technologies and good governance are mentioned as the main challenges to UHC. Considering health as a human right requires strong domestic and public commitment to sustain reliable and comprehensive health systems with active primary health care (PHC) strategy supported by public financing. However, taxation and tax evasion in developing economies were not subject of any specific GSS-2019 session.
UHC/PHC is extremely important to accomplish “healthy lives in every age and place” (SDG3). This comprehensive approach also should take in account the migration. It was another relevant issue of the GSS-2019. Migrants would have access to health care at the country they choose to live and it also reinforces advocacy on strong and reliable public health structures.
During the GSS-2019 there was a meeting of regional representatives of the THINK_SDGs network (Global Health Policy Think Tanks for the SDGs Implementation) which agreed that SDGs implementation requires multisectoral actions which happen in multiple “transition” scenarios and that it would be important to produce studies to translate macro policies into health achievements within new political environments.
Finally, the Policy Brief on UHC/PHC reiterates the need of strong coordination of international cooperation in both technical and financial strands to strength national health systems, mainly by the G20 countries.
Written by Luiz Eduardo Fonseca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz