World Health Day serves as a vital reminder of the health challenges faced across the globe. The 2025 theme, Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, highlights the importance of maternal and newborn health, reinforcing the need for quality care for every mother and child (WHO). Despite medical advancements, global progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality has stagnated since 2015. Alarmingly, approximately 290,000 maternal deaths, 1.9 million stillbirths, and 2.3 million newborn deaths still occur annually (UNICEF). These numbers highlight the critical need for increased investment in maternal and child healthcare services, particularly in under-resourced regions.

Access to healthcare remains unequal, with many mothers and children in developing countries struggling to receive even the most basic medical attention. Factors such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of trained professionals, and financial barriers continue to contribute to preventable deaths. Ensuring universal access to maternal and newborn care is essential in addressing these inequalities and improving health outcomes worldwide.

In countries where private healthcare options are available, ensuring comprehensive medical cover is one way to secure quality care. For many families, medical aid and gap cover provides financial security and access to necessary treatments without overwhelming costs. However, it is important to acknowledge that millions rely solely on government healthcare, where resources are often stretched thin. Every individual who can afford private healthcare reduces pressure on public facilities, indirectly improving healthcare access for those with no alternative.

As a mother, I have personally experienced how healthcare needs change over time. The care I required during pregnancy was vastly different from what my children needed in their early years, from vaccinations to specialised medical care. This evolution highlights the necessity of adapting healthcare coverage as family needs shift.

While personal health security is essential, World Health Day is a call for collective action. Governments, organisations, and individuals must work together to support healthcare systems, promote education on maternal and child health, and advocate for policies that prioritise medical access for all. Investing in healthcare is not just a personal decision—it is a way to contribute to a healthier global society.

At Securitas® Financial Group, we encourage individuals to explore their medical aid and gap cover options to ensure they have access to the best possible care. Our financial advisors can help assess evolving healthcare needs and create plans that provide continuous support within different life stages and budgets.

This World Health Day, let’s prioritise health as a global responsibility. Whether through supporting policies, advocating for better healthcare access, or securing personal medical coverage, each step contributes to a healthier future for all.

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