Monitoring progress on universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO South-East Asia Region: 2018 update

Overview

It is a great pleasure to introduce the third annual report on progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region. This year’s report follows a format similar to the 2016 and 2017 reports but has some new features which I would like to highlight.

Part 1 provides, as previously, regional highlights of progress on UHC and the health-related SDG targets. For UHC, both dimensions – access to needed health care, and financial protection – are analyzed using the agreed upon SDG indicators.

For the first time a section on trends in equity over time is included in this report, using several SDG indicators. This is to help keep the spotlight on the critical SDG commitment to “leave no one behind”, and the need to narrow the gap, whether it be between rich and poor, the well and less-well educated, and rural and urban areas.

Part 2 reflects on how we are doing in monitoring the SDGs, and the information system developments needed to strengthen UHC and health SDG monitoring. In most Member States, the health-related SDG indicators are now embedded in national M&E frameworks, and attention to equity monitoring is increasing.

Part 3 presents the now familiar individual Member State health SDG profiles. There are new sections this year on equity and on the status of CRVS systems. The profiles also include trend information where possible.