Doha, Qatar: The coronavirus pandemic remains a stark reminder that the international community must do more to overcome glaring global disparities in healthcare availability and treatment, doctors told Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates’ #DearWorldLive program.

On a special World Health Day edition of #DearWorldLive, two renowned doctors highlighted the differences in healthcare between rich and poor countries, and even within wealthier nations.

American physician Dr. Cheryl L. Holder, who serves underprivileged populations in Florida, said, “I’m in the United States, a rich country, but the same disparities that we talk about [in the global south] happen here, too.

“I see it on a day-to-day basis here in America, just with the coronavirus. Black and brown people have paid a huge price.”

Dr. Vikram Patel, the co-founder of the Movement for Global Mental Health, said money is often at the root of healthcare disparities.

“Some people enjoy better health solely because of their wealth or privilege. Addressing this injustice is at the heart of global health.”

Patel called for urgent action to right healthcare wrongs. “As a result of the pandemic, the global economy has been shattered. This has to be seen as a unique historical moment for every country to commit itself to invest in its health sector.”

Holder and Patel agreed that the ideal solution would be high-quality global universal health coverage (UHC).

Holder said: “We need to reimagine healthcare, who is delivering it, and where we put our dollars.”

Patel argued that universal healthcare is a realistic goal despite the challenges involved. “It’s about political will and money. The amount of money that we are spending on the military in every country of the world would completely take care of universal health coverage for all our people. And it’s a decision that we as people and our political masters have to take. What’s more important, arming ourselves or promoting our health? It’s fundamentally a political decision. It's not a question about money.”

Viewer feedback during the interactive program included comments from Yasemin AlShanableh, a student at Qatar University’s College of Medicine. “The COVID-19 crisis has made the disparities in healthcare access even more apparent. Universal health coverage is one proposed solution to ensure that these inequities are eliminated. Is UHC the only solution available to better healthcare access for vulnerable populations, and is it realistically achievable on a global scale?”

When asked by #DearWorldLive host Nelufar Hedayat what else should be done to narrow the healthcare divide, Holder said: “All the data clearly shows that educating women and girls will benefit our society and improve our health outcomes.”

Answering the same question, Patel said: “The pandemic has taught us that no person is safe until everyone in every country is safe. We must look beyond our own borders to create a healthier and safer world for everyone.”

Filipina American student nurse and TikTok personality Dane Marie Balbiran joined the conversation from the Philippines, saying: “The more we learn and the more we study, the more creative our solutions [to global healthcare disparities] will be.”

The program and all #DearWorldLive episodes can be seen on Doha Debates’ Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch channels, and at DohaDebates.com/DearWorldLive.

-Ends-

Doha Debates
Website: DohaDebates.com
Twitter: @DohaDebates
Instagram: @DohaDebates
Facebook: Facebook.com/DohaDebates
YouTube: YouTube.com/DohaDebates
Twitch: Twitch.tv/dohadebates

Doha Debates media contact
Sumi Alkebsi
Communications Manager
Phone: +1-202-609-7916
Email: salkebsi@dohadebates.com  

Qatar Foundation — Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, science and research, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, visit www.qf.org.qa 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.