As per Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the right to health is acknowledged as the right to an adequate standard of living. With great leaps in medical science and technology, one would assume this right is guaranteed universally.

Alarmingly, however, only 431 million more people have gained access to essential health services without financial hardship since 2018 – less than half of the one billion target set by WHO for 2025. Additionally, 13.5% of the global population continues to spend more than 10% of their household income on out-of-pocket health expenses, revealing the stark inequity in access to standard healthcare globally.

Yet, some countries continue to lead the way in ensuring accessible healthcare for their populations.

This article explores some of the most effective healthcare access policies implemented globally, unpacking what these nations are doing right, and what valuable lessons others can take away from their success.

Rwanda

Rwanda went from the horrors of genocide in 1994 to becoming a global example of effective healthcare delivery, especially in Africa. This transformation was driven by:

• Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) The Mutuelles de Santé programme is a government initiative where citizens pool funds through donations and global charities. The government supports the poorest by covering their share, ensuring access for all.
• Performance-Based Financing (PBF)
   Rwanda pioneered the PBF system, where incentives were provided to healthcare providers and facilities that achieved specific performance targets. It turned healthcare accountability into measurable progress.
• Empowered Community Health Workers
   Over 45,000 community health workers were deployed, with three per village. They became the frontline of Rwanda’s healthcare—tracking maternal health, monitoring child growth, and treating diseases like malaria directly in communities.

Outcomes

• Under-five mortality dropped from 196 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 33 in 2022.
• Maternal mortality fell by over 80% between 2000 and 2020.
• Life expectancy rose from 49 years in 2000 to 69.6 years in 2023.

Challenges

• Despite the success, Rwanda faced inflation, rising public debt, and structural economic constraints along the way.

Takeaway

Rwanda’s health transformation shows that even low-income countries can achieve remarkable progress with community-based care and strong political will. By investing in local health workers and making services accessible to all, it turned crisis into opportunity. The world can learn that equitable, people-centered healthcare is both possible and powerful—no matter the starting point.

Thailand

Thailand implemented many important policies to achieve SDG3 in an efficient way. There were three main policies introduced by the Thai government:

• Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS): The scheme ensured equitable access of health resources and services to all citizens of the country, especially for the poor and marginalised people. The “30 Baht system” was introduced under which citizens had to pay only 30 Baht ($1) to avail medical services.
• National Strategy for NCD Prevention and Control: Under this policy, measures were taken to reduce the health burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, TB, heart diseases etc.
  To reduce NCD burden:
  • Sugar tax was implemented in 2017 on sugary drinks to discourage consumption and reduce obesity.
  • Anti-smoking laws were introduced to reduce tobacco consumption (graphic warnings, public bans, high tobacco taxes).
  • Tightened alcohol advertising and underage drinking controls.
  • Promoted physical activity campaigns, healthy school meals, and workplace wellness programs.
• National Health Act and National Health Assembly (NHA): It was introduced to create a legal and institutional framework for a people-centered health system in Thailand, emphasizing citizen participation, equity, and holistic well-being. The National Health Assembly aimed to bring together government, academia, communities, and people to discuss and shape health-related policies and initiatives.

Outcomes

• Over 99.6% of the population has access to affordable and good quality healthcare facilities.
• Maternal mortality rate fell to 29 per 100,000 births.
• Infant mortality rate fell from 23 per 1000 children in 1990 to 5 per 1000 children.
• Citizens and civil society now co-develop health policies.

Challenges

Thailand’s journey toward achieving universal health coverage came with significant challenges. Rural communities often lacked nearby health facilities, and a shortage of medical professionals placed heavy pressure on the existing workforce. In the early stages, there were concerns over how to sustainably finance healthcare for all, and building alignment across government sectors and local communities required sustained effort and dialogue.

Takeaways

Thailand showed that when a country truly cares, it can make healthcare free and fair for everyone—even in villages far from cities. They made people part of the process, not just patients. With simple but smart steps, they proved that good health can reach every home.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka introduced many crucial and important policies to achieve SDG3. Some of them are:

• Public Health Midwife (PHM): It is a public health system designed to provide child, maternal, and family health services directly to the community. This program aimed to ensure access to primary and basic healthcare, especially for women and children, in order to reduce maternal and child mortality.
• Free Public Healthcare Policy: This policy aimed at providing free healthcare services and facilities to the public irrespective of their income. It covered hospital care for surgeries, drugs, and maternal services, ensuring that even low-income groups had equal access to medical support.
• Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI): The programme was implemented to protect children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) by offering free and timely immunization through the nationwide public health system.

Outcomes

• 95% immunization coverage, one of the highest globally even in low-income settings.
• Equitable access to healthcare resources for both rural and urban populations.
• Infant mortality rate dropped from 18 in 2000 to 6 in 2022.

Challenges

The country also had to face many challenges during the progress, including financial sustainability, spread of misinformation regarding new vaccines and medicines, and difficulty in reaching remote or conflict-affected areas.

Takeaways

Community-driven, government-backed, and guided by a strong motive to achieve the goal—Sri Lanka shows that this approach leads to success. The country also proves that integration of services and publicly funded systems can help us reach our health targets more efficiently and equitably.

Iceland

Iceland implemented key policies that significantly advanced its progress towards SDG 3. These initiatives focused on universal access, youth health, and holistic well-being:

• Universal Public Healthcare System: Iceland provides free or highly subsidized healthcare to all citizens and residents through a tax-funded system. Services include general practice, hospital care, maternal services, and chronic disease treatment, ensuring equitable access to essential medical care for everyone.
• Icelandic Model for Adolescent Health: Aimed at reducing substance use among teenagers, this model focused on community engagement, youth programs, strong family involvement, and supervised leisure activities. It became a global example of how preventive, community-based approaches can improve youth health.
• Health and Wellness in Schools: Health education, including both physical and mental well-being, is taught at the school level. This helped inculcate healthy habits early, reducing future risks and normalizing conversations around mental health from a young age.
• Clean Environment Integration: Iceland’s reliance on renewable energy was not just an environmental win—it became a core pillar of public health. Low pollution levels improved respiratory and mental health, while outdoor lifestyles and green spaces promoted holistic wellness.

Outcomes

• High life expectancy and low disease burden due to clean air, quality care, and active living.
• Significant reduction in youth substance abuse, with Iceland ranking among the lowest in Europe.
• Strong public trust in healthcare institutions and high levels of mental health awareness among youth.
  
  

Challenges

Despite success, challenges remain in maintaining affordability, addressing healthcare needs in remote areas, and ensuring mental health services keep pace with rising demand. The small population size also means policy outcomes may not easily scale to larger countries.

Takeaways

Iceland proves that health isn’t just about hospitals—it’s about communities, schools, families, and even the air we breathe. With prevention-first policies, a clean environment, and mental health prioritization, Iceland built a system where well-being is a way of life, not just a medical goal.

Singapore

Singapore implemented a structured and inclusive healthcare system to ensure universal health access and financial protection for all citizens. Its policies reflect a strong blend of individual responsibility, government support, and preventive care.

• The 3M Framework: Medisave, MediShield Life, and Medifund
  • Medisave is a mandatory savings account under the Central Provident Fund (CPF), where a portion of every citizen’s income is set aside to cover routine medical expenses like hospital bills and surgeries.
  • MediShield Life is a national health insurance scheme covering all Singaporeans and permanent residents, regardless of age or health condition. It protects individuals from high medical costs during critical illnesses or major hospitalizations.
  • Medifund acts as a safety net for those who cannot afford care even after using Medisave and MediShield. It ensures that no citizen is denied access to basic and essential healthcare due to financial constraints.
• Primary Care Network (PCN): It has brought together private General Practitioner (GP) clinics into regional mini health systems. Through funding, manpower support, and shared services, PCNs empowered GPs to provide long-term and community-level care efficiently.
• National Mental Health Strategy: Singapore integrated mental health detection and management into polyclinics and schools. Physicians and psychologists were trained to identify issues early, helping normalize and prioritize mental wellness.
• Tobacco Control Laws: Singapore implemented some of the strictest tobacco laws globally, including steep taxes, public smoking bans, and graphic warning labels, successfully reducing tobacco use and associated health risks.

Outcomes

• Maternal mortality dropped to 7 per 100,000 births—among the lowest in the world.
• Immunization rates remain high at 95–97%.
• Life expectancy at birth stands at 84.6 years, one of the highest globally.
• Preventive health culture has taken deep root, reducing pressure on hospitals.

Challenges

Singapore faced financial strain in maintaining subsidies under PCN and 3M schemes.
 General Practitioners also experienced heavy workloads due to the limited availability of smart clinic systems and cost disparities between public and private clinics led to accessibility gaps.

Takeaways

Singapore proves that a co-pay model backed by government safety nets can deliver healthcare that is fair, sustainable, and efficient. By building trust in family doctors, promoting everyday prevention, and seamlessly connecting private and public care, Singapore built a system where everyone contributes, but no one is left behind.

Cuba

• Universal, Free Primary Healthcare System – Cuba built a deeply community-rooted system where each neighborhood is assigned a doctor-nurse team who live in the area they serve. These teams offer both curative and preventive care, focusing on regular checkups, early detection, and health education—catching diseases before they escalate.
• Polyclinic Model of Integrated Care – Polyclinics form the backbone of Cuba’s health infrastructure. Each one serves 20,000–30,000 people and houses multiple services under one roof—diagnostics, dental care, maternal services, rehab, and more—minimizing fragmentation and enabling holistic, local care.
• Biotech and Vaccination Leadership – Despite limited resources, Cuba invested heavily in biotech. It developed its own COVID-19 vaccines (like Abdala and Soberana) and maintains one of the world’s most successful immunization programs, with over 95% vaccine coverage for preventable diseases.

Outcomes

• Infant Mortality: Dropped from 11.1 (1990) to 4.2 (2022) per 1,000 live births—lower than the U.S. in some years.
• Life Expectancy: Reached 78.9 years by 2023, on par with many high-income countries.
• Doctor-to-Population Ratio: Over 8 doctors per 1,000 people—among the highest globally—allowing strong localized care.

Challenges

The U.S. embargo severely restricts access to modern medical equipment and supplies. However, Cuba’s resilience lies in its investment in human capital, education, and self-reliance—enabling it to deliver care even during international crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Takeaway

Cuba proves that a people-first, preventive, and community-based healthcare system can outperform wealthier countries—even with financial limitations. When collective well-being is prioritized over profit, universal health goals become achievable.

Chile

The country has a mixed healthcare system which consists of both public and private provision of health services and facilities.

• Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA) – It is a public system adopted by the Chilean government which is funded through taxes and provides subsidized healthcare services to people who can’t afford private health insurance. The Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA)provides public insurance coverage to around 80% of Chileans, financed through a 7% payroll health contribution.

• (APS – Atención Primaria de Salud) Strengthening Primary Health Care – Chile doubled down on family- and community-based care, expanding local health centers and promoting preventive services like maternal care, child nutrition, vaccinations, and screenings.
• AUGE, also known as GES, is a health program Chile launched in 2005 that made care for serious illnesses a guaranteed right—not just a promise. It ensures that no matter who you are or where you live, if you’re diagnosed with a major health condition, you’ll get timely, affordable, and quality treatment without falling through the cracks.

Outcomes

• Millions of Chileans, especially from low-income groups, now receive guaranteed treatment for over 80 high-priority diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and mental health conditions.
• Infant mortality rate [IMR] – The rate fell from 5.2 lives per 1000 in 2022 from 9.4 lives per 1000 in 2000.
  Out-of-pocket expenses fell significantly for covered services, improving equity.
• Life expectancy improved, infant mortality decreased, and chronic disease management strengthened.

Challenges

Chile struggled with ensuring equitable access across regions and between public-private providers, while the system faced financial and logistical pressure to meet guaranteed service timelines. Additionally, early gaps in public awareness and administrative complexity hindered full utilization of entitlements.

Takeaways –

Chile shows that embedding health guarantees into law—like with AUGE/GES—can dramatically improve access and outcomes. Strong political will, focus on equity, and investment in primary care are key pillars for building resilient health systems.

Conclusion

From Rwanda’s community insurance networks to Cuba’s physician-led model of the community, the world lessons highlighted in this article speak a loud truth: good healthcare is not only the offspring of prosperity, but of will, ingenuity, and people-driven policies. From Thailand’s democratic policy-making, Sri Lanka’s maternal health outreach, Singapore’s mix of financing, or Iceland’s well-being approach, each nation has laid down its own template for reshaping health systems. Their respective stories are revealing that with combinations of accessibility, affordability as well as accountability even the low-resource nations are capable of making breathtaking gains in health. With the world working towards SDG 3, these stories remind us that preventive, resilient, and inclusive healthcare is not only possible – it’s within our grasp.