The transition to universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries: new opportunities for community pharmacists

Naidoo, V.G.; Suleman, Fátima; Bangalee, Varsha

doi:10.1186/s40545-020-00213-7

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Similarly, after the establishment of the Unified Health System in 1988, more than 75% of the Brazilian nationals are now getting benefit from this programme. Likewise, South Africa is also progressing towards the implementation of UHC through the development of a National Health Insurance (NHI) programme [4,5].…”

Section: Global Overview Of Universal Health Coverage Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Universal health coverage and COVID-19: recent developments and implications

Hussain

Arif

2021

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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Universal health coverage (UHC) is meant to access the key health services including disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and health promotion. UHC varies according to demographics, epidemiology, and technology-based trends, as well as according to people’s expectations. Globally, the transition towards UHC has been associated with the intent of improving accessibility and affordability of healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the health systems of even the most developed economies of the world in an unprecedented manner. The situation is also very challenging for the countries with the existing health inequities as well as the countries with the developing healthcare systems. This has amplified the need to accelerate efforts to build strong and resilient health systems to achieve progress towards UHC. This commentary discusses a global overview of UHC in the wake of COVID19. It also highlights the initiatives taken by Pakistan to promote the goals of UHC.

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Section: Global Overview Of Universal Health Coverage Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Universal health coverage and COVID-19: recent developments and implications

Hussain

Arif

2021

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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“…Acknowledging similar findings worldwide, especially from LMICs,2 3 36 38 71–75 many experts, including the WHO, have begun to recommend a supportive approach towards private pharmacies that leverages their strengths to deliver primary healthcare 3 36 71 73–76. Along with many high-income countries, South Africa, Uganda and Indonesia have successfully integrated pharmacists into their primary-care delivery systems and have engaged private pharmacies through government-sponsored insurance programmes 77–79…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While studies have found different provider payment mechanisms to be effective in improving the practices of providers,90 93 these are difficult to implement for private pharmacies in LMIC settings, especially in India, without insurance coverage for outpatient care. The Indian government’s health insurance programme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana,94 could consider adopting these policy levers if and when it extends coverage to outpatient care, and could require regular training and observation of quality standards for empanelment, as seen in other countries like South Africa 77…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Private pharmacies as healthcare providers in Odisha, India: analysis and implications for universal health coverage

Kalita,

Bose,

Woskie

et al. 2023

BMJ Glob Health

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IntroductionIn India, as in many low-income and middle-income countries, the private sector provides a large share of health care. Pharmacies represent a major share of private care, yet there are few studies on their role as healthcare providers. Our study examines: (1) What are the characteristics of and services provided by private pharmacies and how do these compare with other outpatient care providers? (2) What are the characteristics of patients who opted to use private pharmacies? (3) What are the reasons why people seek healthcare from private pharmacies? (4) What are the quality of services and cost of care for these patients? Based on our findings, we discuss some policy implications for universal health coverage in the Indian context.MethodsWe analyse data from four surveys in Odisha, one of India’s poorest states: a household survey on health-seeking behaviours and reasons for healthcare choices (N=7567), a survey of private pharmacies (N=1021), a survey of public sector primary care facilities (N=358), and a survey of private-sector solo-providers (N=684).Results17% of the households seek outpatient care from private pharmacies (similar to rates for public primary-care facilities). 25% of the pharmacies were not registered appropriately under Indian regulations, 90% reported providing medical advice, and 26% reported substituting prescribed drugs. Private pharmacies had longer staffed hours and better stocks of essential drugs than public primary-care facilities. Patients reported choosing private pharmacies because of convenience and better drug stocks; reported higher satisfaction and lower out-of-pocket expenditure with private pharmacies than with other providers.ConclusionThis is the first large-scale study of private pharmacies in India, with a comparison to other healthcare providers and users’ perceptions and experiences of their services. To move towards universal health coverage, India, a country with a pluralistic health system, needs a comprehensive health systems approach that incorporates both the public and private sectors, including private pharmacies.

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“…The successful implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) in a low- to middle-income country like South Africa to ensure universal health coverage will require collaboration between all health care professionals. The role of pharmacists need to be reassessed to expand their skillset to focus on primary health care (Naidoo et al 2020 ). Community pharmacists are often the first point of care for most patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of a patient population on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Purasram

Bangalee

Oosthuizen

et al. 2022

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had dire effects on South Africa. Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are critical in the fight against COVID-19. This study is necessary to optimise vaccine acceptance.Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of a patient population in South Africa on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.Setting: This study was conducted via a retail pharmacy in Merebank, Wentworth and Bluff (Ward 68), which is in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province.Methods: A quantitative study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire between April 2021 to September 2021. There were a total of 430 participants. Data were collected on Google Forms, recorded in Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Knowledge of COVID-19 in the population was 81.86%. A total of 65% of participants stated that they would definitely take the COVID-19 vaccine, and 33.7% stated that they were hesitant to receive the vaccine. Reasons for hesitancies included concerns surrounding side effects of the vaccines, its safety and efficacy and the fast-tracking of the vaccine. Conclusion:Education campaigns need to be customised to provide the population with reliable and vetted vaccine information and address specific concerns or hesitancies present. Health care workers and the government need to work with religious leaders to improve public trust and confidence in the vaccine. To reach herd immunity and prevent increased morbidity rates, there needs to be a rise in vaccine acceptance across South Africa and globally.Contribution: With the intention of ensuring a successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy in South Africa, it is of great importance to address the reasons for vaccine hesitancy and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the population on the COVID-19 vaccines. This study will therefore aid in developing strategies aimed at improving vaccine education and awareness, thereby resulting in a greater uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine by the population.

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The transition to universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries: new opportunities for community pharmacists

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Universal health coverage and COVID-19: recent developments and implications

Universal health coverage and COVID-19: recent developments and implications

Private pharmacies as healthcare providers in Odisha, India: analysis and implications for universal health coverage

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of a patient population on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

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