Health inequity and unmet need are major challenges in achieving UHC and financial protection in the South-East Asia Region. This report documents progresses in addressing health inequities with a focus on multiple manifests of vulnerabilities and multiple components of the health system, including health financing.
The most concerning aspect of health inequity is unmet health need which consists of two components; firstly, forgone care which occurs when someone who realizes the needs for services but is unable to access the services expressed; and secondly unexpressed (or un-realized) demand for health care. Unmet health care needs can result from various barriers, from both supply and demand sides of health care, and beyond the health system.
This report documents progresses in addressing current and future health inequities with a focus on multiple manifests of vulnerabilities and multiple components of the health system drawing from 25 country case studies. Health financing is one of health system components which have been highlighted in this report.
Health financing policies ensure that financial resources are effectively and equitably allocated and that different population groups, especially those least able to pay. Carefully designed and implemented health financing policies can help to promote access to quality care and address impoverishment due to expenditure on health. Limited resources must also be efficiently managed and administered to ensure that the policy delivers the best value for money in delivery of health services.