[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
St Lucia is an island nation in the Caribbean, which obtained full independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1979 and remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. With a per capita million, the World Bank Group classifies Saint Lucia as an upper middle income country<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In 1997, the government of Saint Lucia constituted a Health Sector Reform Task Force, which led to the approval of the 2000 Health Sector Reform White Paper. The paper examined various health financing options, which ultimately led to a first phase of universal health coverage (UHC) implementation in 2022. This included free drugs for diabetes and hypertension, as well as free primary health care at the time of use for an essential care package including vaccination, HIV\/AIDS drugs and diagnostics, and treatment and drugs for communicable diseases such as Hansen\u2019s disease and tuberculosis. The country\u2019s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs (MOHWEA)<\/a> continues to work on improving health financing UHC and recently finalized a new white paper specifically on UHC<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Health financing sustainability in question The 2024 White Paper on Universal Health Coverage<\/a> recognizes that OOP spending remains high in Saint Lucia, above the Caribbean (30.6%) and Latin America and Caribbean (28.1%) averages in 2021, and that government expenditure on health as a share of general government expenditure should be closer to the 15% Abuja target<\/a>. Furthermore, the white paper quotes a report stating that health coverage is low and skewed to the better off.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The government of Saint Lucia is committed to advancing UHC<\/a> and recognizes that health financing reform is crucial, despite cost pressures. The mix of above-mentioned health financing sources composing CHE in the country demonstrates a need to address equity and access issues, especially high OOP spending.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 6″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A UHC unit exists within the MOHWEA to spearhead efforts, supported by the World Bank Group<\/a>. The current World Bank Group International Development Association loan will include analysis of further services to be included in the package of primary care \u2013 provided free of charge at point of use at first level health care services \u2013 and the implementation of a performance-based financing pilot.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9 – Footnotes” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”a{color:#4c7e96 }” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n [1]<\/span> World Health Organization, Global Health Expenditure Database, Indicators and Data<\/a> (choose country)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]In 2022, current health expenditure (CHE) was 6.45% of GDP. As in many of the Caribbean countries, out-of-pocket (OOP) spending remained high at 38.7% of CHE in 2022, although it decreased from 56% in 2005.[1]<\/a><\/sup> Furthermore, general government health expenditure has gradually increased as a part of general government expenditure from 33% in 2005 to 49.7% in 2019. Since 2020, external aid is a growing part of CHE in the country.[2]<\/a><\/sup>[\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Multiple challenges and a range of potential approaches” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=” HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 4 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n