Financing free health remains challenge for European countries

19 million people in Europe remain subject to out-of-pocket health expenditures that place a "catastrophic burden on their households", the World Health Organisation's regional director for Europe told the WHO-Europe committee in Malta today.

Addressing the 62^nd committee meeting, Zsuzsana Jakab said universal coverage was a key policy that would remain a priority for WHO countries, in a bid to accelerate more integrated health at the primary level.

"The financial crisis and its impact on public finances have tested Member States' commitment to health. Nevertheless, they can be seen as an opportunity to consider changes in policy directions to protect health budgets: specifically, strengthening financial protection, improving efficiency in health systems, investing more in public health and using health financing policy to strengthen universal coverage. This is the focus of our work," Jakab told participants.

Jakab also reminded participants of improving equity in health by reducing existing gender inequities.

"Evidence shows that marginalized populations in the European Region - such as Roma, other ethnic minorities and migrants - experience growing health inequities. I therefore established a programme on vulnerability and health, to support the promotion and protection of these groups' right to health and the satisfaction of their needs."

In an address to the WHO representatives, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi reaffirmed healthcare as one of his government's key policy pillars and that he was committed to providing free health to all citizens.

"Our philosophy is to continue building a strong and vibrant economy to sustain our investment in healthcare. We have and are managing, as Malta's economy outperforms many other European states.

"Our positive economic performance has given us the possibility of continuing to invest substantially in our health service, in its infrastructure, its equipment and above all in its human resources."

Gonzi paid tribute to his government's measures in stemming a brain drain of doctors by allowing new graduates to specialise locally, and new investment in an oncology hospital and the primary health sector.