More than one route to reach universal health coverage

THIS week, health ministers from around the world gather in Geneva for the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO). While they will no doubt take some time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, their working agenda will cover some of the world's biggest health challenges, including planning for the next pandemic ebola and influenza outbreaks.

Decisions will also be made on topics that are less alarming but equally important for health. Chief among these is how to encourage developing countries to move towards universal health coverage (UHC), in which everyone in a country can access basic health services without facing financial hardship.

WHO director-general Margaret Chan has described UHC as "the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer". Given that 150 million people each year suffer financial catastrophe due to paying for health care, this is no exaggeration.