(ANSA) - NEW YORK, OCTOBER 07 - The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has called for "hard lessons" to be drawn from the coronavirus pandemic, for which the world was not prepared.
One of these, he said in his latest document on 'Covid and Universal Health Coverage', "is that the lack of investment in health can have a devastating impact on societies and economies."
The virus "has shown that universal health coverage, strong public health systems and emergency preparedness are essential for communities, for economies, for everyone."
Instead, the pandemic has revealed, in his opinion, absolutely inadequate health systems, huge gaps in social protection and important structural inequalities within and between countries. "Health treatment shouldn't depend on financial situation," Guterres said again, noting that universal health coverage requires governments to increase investment in common health goods, as well as making public health programs inclusive and fair, without financial barriers. "I urge everyone to increase investment in universal health coverage and stronger health systems, starting immediately," he concluded. (HANDLE)