The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to put health first, which is what 140 countries have done by recognizing health as a human right in their constitution. Yet according to WHO, there are still at least 4.5 billion people — more than half of the world’s population — who were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021. According to UNICEF, 14.5 million children did not receive a single vaccine in 2023. And in the post COVD-19 pandemic, last-mile logistical challenges continue to disrupt equitable healthcare access in more than 80% of all countries. From the skyscrapers of America to remote villages in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These challenges include everything from inadequate infrastructure and insufficient healthcare workers to political instability and financial constraints. How can we bridge these gaps and ensure that health as a human right is more than just a declaration in a constitution? What are the reflections and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic that we should continue? What innovative strategies can we apply to overcome the last-mile barriers? How can we ensure everyone, everywhere is able to access vaccination and essential healthcare services?

All of these challenges will be discussed in the Global Town Hall session of “Diagnosing Global Health: Last-Mile Issues and New Challenges.” This session will delve into the “last-mile” challenges and logistical barriers that hinder effective access to vaccination and health services. The session will also reflect on the legacies of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed significant gaps in global health systems. In addition to pandemic preparedness, the discussion will also explore the impact of climate change and other emerging threats to global health.