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Universal health is key to the economic and social progress of society in general. The concept is not driven by considerations of boundaries; rather it helps to ensure that all human beings, irrespective of their income, have access to quality health services. This effort is dependent on an efficient health system that provides need-based, on-demand services.

Universal health for all is important as it provides the basis of a robust society that can lead to:

1. Better health outcomes, especially for marginalized populations.

2. Reduction in poverty through reduced spending on healthcare.

3. Economic prosperity through better health, and thereby a more productive population.

4. Equality through the reduction in health inequities regardless of income or social status.

5. Robust health systems improve the quality of care, creating a multiplier effect on the efficiency of the system itself.

Universal healthcare ensures that all human beings, irrespective of their income, have access to quality health services.

The United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, realizing the need for a peaceful and inclusive world. The SDGs are a universal call to end poverty and protect the planet in a peaceful and prosperous environment. The 17 goals are interdependent and have specific targets and indicators.

SDG 3 is a global goal that look to ensure health and promote well-being for everyone. This is referred to as the “Health and Well-being” goal.

SDG 3 focuses on good health and well-being as essential for individuals, communities, and nations to enable everyone to thrive and achieve their potential. The idea behind SDG 3 is that good health is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development. Therefore, investing in health and well-being will achieve increased productivity, economic growth, and social stability. This in turn will help to reduce poverty reduction and the promote an equitable society.

The specific objectives of SDG 3:

Some important specific targets of SDG 3 include reducing maternal and child mortality, tackling infectious diseases, and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. SDG 3 also promotes access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services such as family planning and information through the integration of reproductive health into national programs.

SDG 3 addresses the social factors of health such as poverty, gender inequality, education, and environmental factors.

SDG 3 is particularly important for India, given the challenges faced by its large and diverse population. Despite significant economic progress, India has faced challenges of equity and lack of access to quality health services, particularly in rural areas. With a rise in noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, the need to address health as a determinant of progress was strongly felt. Due to an archaic patriarchal society, maternal and child health was also often neglected. Thus it was important for policymakers to look at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and improve nutrition and nutritional deficiencies among children and women.

India has come a long way in achieving SDG 3. Some of the path-breaking initiatives taken by the government in this regard:

Despite significant economic progress, India has faced challenges of equity and lack of access to quality health services, particularly in rural areas.

S M Sehgal Foundation (Sehgal Foundation), a sustainable rural development NGO in India, has worked since 1999 to improve the quality of life in rural communities in India. As a rural development NGO, S M Sehgal Foundation has a skilled and dedicated team that creates sustainable programs to address rural India鈥檚 most pressing needs: S M Sehgal Foundation program areas are Water Management; Agriculture Development; Local Participation and Sustainability; Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development. The programs are supported by a skilled research team that engages in participatory research, impact assessment, and interactive dialogues to determine informed actions to achieve sustainable results.

In June 2021, S M Sehgal Foundation began the implementation of a CSR-supported partnership initiative in district Nuh, Haryana. This integrated village development project works on water, education, health, sanitation, nutrition, and agriculture. The project included the setup of a Village Development Committee (VDC) in the project village to oversee the initiatives and sustain them for the future.

In October 2021, the project team initiated the endeavor to transform a choupal into an E-Poshan Kendra (E-nutrition center).

By January 2022, the choupal transformation was completed. Solar panels were installed in the E-Poshan Kendra for a sustainable source of energy. Community women became keenly interested in the E-Poshan Kendra and started regularly attending the training sessions held there on nutrition and a balanced diet.

Gradually the E-Poshan Kendra became a hub of information provision on good nutrition practices, sanitation, as well as on key government services. E-Poshan Kendra provides structured training to village women, and showcases thematic films and inspirational stories on sanitation and nutrition. Vaccination drives for village children were also organized in this center.

A choupal was transformed into an E-Poshan Kendra in January 2022. Community women became keenly interested in the E-Poshan Kendra and began attending the regular training sessions held here on nutrition and a balanced diet.

India faces several challenges in achieving SDGs.

Insufficient funding is a major challenge to achieving SDG 3. Robust health systems require sustained investment to ensure that they are well equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to all. Addressing the challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving health, education, finance, and the environment.

Government initiatives, sufficient funding, and effective Public-Private Partnerships are critical to achieving SDG 3 and ensuring that all people enjoy the benefits of quality healthcare, health, and well-being.

Going forward, achieving SDG 3 in India is essential for better health and well-being and for removing disparities. This will help build a sustainable and equitable society. The vision of becoming a true economic superpower will be achieved once India鈥檚 population is healthy.

Government initiatives, sufficient funding, and effective public-private partnerships are critical to achieving SDG 3 and ensuring that all people enjoy the benefits of quality healthcare, health, and well-being.

SDG 3 is one of 17 global goals to ensure a healthy population and promote well-being for everyone. SDG 3 is also referred to as the “Health and Well-being” goal.

Some important specific targets of SDG 3 include reduction in maternal and child mortality, tackling infectious diseases, and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. SDG 3 also promotes access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services such as family planning and information through the integration of reproductive health into national programs.

The specific objectives of SDG 3 are to reduce mortality rates from noncommunicable diseases; reduce communicable diseases; improve mental health and well-being and prevent substance abuse; create and improve health systems and access to essential medicines and vaccines; improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the old; and mitigate the impact of health emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters.

SDG 3 is particularly important for India, given the challenges it faces due to its large and diverse population. Despite significant economic progress, India has faced challenges of equity and lack of access to quality health services, particularly in rural areas. With a rise in noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, the need to address health as a determinant of progress is felt. Due to an archaic patriarchal society, maternal and child health was often neglected. Thus it is important for policymakers to look at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and to improve nutrition and nutritional deficiencies among children and women.

Some of the path-breaking initiatives taken by the government in this regard: