Damian Sendler: In order to achieve a more healthy and secure society, global health security (GHS) and universal health coverage (UHC) are important global health priorities. There are, however, differences in strategy and implementation between GHS and UHC. 

Damian Sendler

Damian Jacob Sendler: The goal of GHS cannot be achieved without UHC, hence the conflict between these two global health objectives should be resolved in a way that maximizes their complementary effects. Health systems must be strengthened in concert with the ideas of primary health care and a “One Health” approach in order to achieve both universal health coverage and global health security, we believe. 

Damien Sendler: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a timely reminder of the nature and effect of new infectious illnesses that are public health emergencies (PHEs) of international concern. As defined by the World Health Organization, a public health emergency is one that poses a “substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents or permanent or long-term disability” due to an epidemic or pandemic disease, bioterrorism, or another novel and highly lethal infectious agent or biological toxin. 

Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: In recent academic and policy discourses, they have emerged as an emerging subject and have increasingly caught the attention of global health and security communities. National and worldwide programs have been developed to address PHEs, including attempts to increase public health preparedness and global health security (GHS), which reflect the necessary proactive and reactive efforts to protect the world’s population against PHEs.

Damian Jacob Sendler

Dr. Sendler: It is essential that human communities control their vulnerabilities to PHEs in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR), which is international law on public health. The International Health Regulations require all countries to strengthen their ability for prevention, early detection, and timely and effective response to the international spread of disease. 

Damian Sendler: According to the IHR (2005), the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak in west Africa refocused GHS attention on building basic public health competencies. A global effort to improve IHR (2005) implementation resulted in the GHS Agenda (GHSA), which was developed as a result of worldwide collaboration across governments and sectors. According to the GHSA, health security is based on a “One Health” approach, which recognizes the connection between human health and the health of animals and the environment. Most known infections and three-quarters of new pathogens are transmitted from animals to humans, according to a recent study. 

Damian Jacob Sendler: It was announced in 2018 that the World Health Organization (WHO) would release its 13th general program of work to promote health and well-being, protect the vulnerable, and provide assistance to those who are most in need. The WHO’s 13th general program of work focuses on three key areas: universal health coverage (UHC), health emergencies, and the well-being of the most vulnerable. The implementation of these strategic initiatives must be mutually reinforcing. 

Damian Sendler: The friction between GHS and UHC in terms of conceptualization, strategy, and actual implementation persists despite efforts to reconcile the two. GHS members disagree on the type of health threat that should be protected from and who should be protected from it.

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