Meet on measures to expand universal health coverage

Experts today stressed on educating health sector professionals to expand universal health coverage in context of achieving sustainable development goals, at an event here.
At the inaugural session of the 8th South East Asia Public Health Education Institutions Network (SEAPHEIN) annual meeting here, the experts from the member countries discussed ways to strengthen the health workforce in South East Asia region.
They also stressed on aligning public health education and training with the health system for the UHC (Universal Health Coverage).
Sharing the key highlights on the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030, Regional Director of WHO Poonam Khetrapal Singh said that public health is a multisectoral issue and frontline health workforce members who are responsible for providing the healthcare services should be educated well.

"Health is centrally positioned within the 2030 agenda with one comprehensive goal (SDG 3) and its 13 targets covering all major health priorities especially four targets on the unfinished and expanded Millennium Development Goals (MDG) agenda, four targets to address non communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, injuries and environmental issues," she said.
"Healthcare is a huge agenda in our region and we have identified areas in which we need to proceed. Universal health coverage is important for us," she said.

She said that the public health professional and partners should be educated to reach the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).
SD Gupta, President of SEPHEIN and Trustee of IIHMR University said that public health is a multisectoral issue, that covers nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and others.

"Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease will form 3/4 of the disease burden in India in next 5-7 years.
"We need to bring down the cost of treatment, we need to educate our healthcare professionals across the region particularly in far flung areas and capacity building will have to be done through the network of healthcare institutions so as to achieve the SDG," he said.
The major objectives of the three-day conference are to promote public health education and training in the academic institutions and universities in the number of countries, discuss the roles of public health education institutions in advancing public health education and the role of SEAPHEIN in advancing UHC and achieve Health goals under SDGs," he said.

Shin Young-soo, Regional Director- WHO Western Pacific Region, Manila (Philippines), Palitha Abeykoon, Ex-President of Sri Lanka Medical Association and participants from the member countries were present at the inaugural session.