Universal access to services
Universal access means that enough services and information are available, accessible and acceptable to meet the different needs of all individuals. This requires that people can safely reach services without travelling for a long time or distance, and that those with disabilities can easily access buildings. Services and treatments must be affordable, and based on principles of equity such that poor people do not bear a higher burden from the cost than more wealthy people. Care should also be sensitive to social and cultural considerations including gender, language and religion.
Universal access requires that services are of adequate quality (availability of skilled medical personnel, approved and unexpired drugs and equipment, proper infrastructure including safe water and sanitation); and that providers do not discriminate on the basis of sexuality, gender, ethnicity and age. In many countries, perceived poor quality of services, inappropriate treatment and discrimination by health professionals deters many people from using services.
Universal access to SRHR encompasses access to information and services on prevention, diagnosis, counselling, treatment and care, in order that:
- everyone can make informed choices about sexuality and reproduction and have a safe and satisfying sexual life, free from violence and coercion
- all women experience pregnancy and childbirth safely, couples have the best chance of having an infant, and women can avoid unwanted pregnancy
- everyone has access to prevention, treatment and care for STIs including HIV
- all women and men are able to access high quality SRH services that cater to their needs
- the rights and needs of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) are recognised and appropriate SRHR information and services are made available.
- Sexual and reproductive health: a matter of life and death
- This article is the first in a series of papers on Sexual and Reproductive Health published by the Lancet. The article notes that worldwide, the burden of sexual and reproductive ill-health remains enormous: unsafe sex is the second most important risk factor for disease, disability and death in the poorest communities.
Recommended reading
- Sexual and reproductive health for all: a call for action
- ( M. F. Fathalla; S. W. Singing; A. Rosenfield; M. M. F. Fathalla / The Lancet , 2006)
- Recommended reading
- This article is the final paper in a series on Sexual and Reproductive Health published in the Lancet. It outlines what needs to be done to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health s...
- Overview of quality of care in reproductive health: definitions and measurements of quality
- ( L. C. Creel; J. V. Sass; N. V. Yinger / Population Reference Bureau , 2002)
- Recommended reading
- This policy brief from the Population Council and Population Reference Bureau discusses various definitions of quality of care in the context of reproductive health. The brief focuses on a client-cent...
