Today, on World Health Day, I join colleagues around the world in recognizing the importance of health equity and the health workers who save lives every day. Tragically, the COVID-19 pandemic has starkly highlighted serious inequities in health care that create significant disparities.
The impacts of pandemics are especially felt by communities and individuals who are already vulnerable, more at risk to disease, and less likely to have access to quality health care services. USAID remains committed to addressing inequities through our health programming, particularly by strengthening health systems in ways that address the root causes and by working with communities to implement locally-driven and inclusive solutions. This is reflected in USAID’s new Vision for Health System Strengthening 2030.
Strengthening the delivery of health care in ways that build capacity and support the health workforce to do their jobs more effectively, including through utilization of innovative digital technologies, is also at the core of what we do. Health workers are critical to our effort to prevent maternal and child deaths; combat infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria; and support voluntary family planning to promote healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies.
I salute the courage and dedication of health workers as these heroes continue tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe.
To see how USAID recognizes health workers today and throughout World Health Worker Week (April 4–11, 2021) follow @USAIDGH on Twitter and on Facebook.