Equity in healthcare

Ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources in a context of scarcity 

Health resources are limited and a constant concern for healthcare authorities. This can be exacerbated by events such as epidemiological outbreaks, manufacturing supply problems and changes in economic dynamics, thereby creating tension in the health system. In such instances, scarce resources need to be allocated based on strict prioritisation criteria. It is essential to ensure equity while avoiding improvisation based on approaches of individual institutions or the intuition of healthcare providers in real time. After the adoption of the SAP and in the light of the public health crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the DH-BIO decided to first elaborate a Statement on COVID-19 and vaccination which was published on 22 January 2021. As a second step the Committee is working on guidelines on equitable access to treatment and equipment.

objective objective

Ensuring that priorities in accessing scarce health resources are set consistently and with respect for human dignity and the protection of human rights.

Ensuring that priorities in accessing scarce health resources are set consistently and with respect for human dignity and the protection of human rights. This work aims to develop common principles to assist policymakers in ensuring an equitable access in case of shortages and scarcity of health resources while safeguarding human rights in biomedicine. The DH-BIO intends to provide member States with substantive and procedural principles to ensure a practical contribution, considering differences in member States’ healthcare resources and that some persons are systematically disadvantaged in accessing healthcare.

ongoing work ongoing work
  • Set up a drafting group

Prepare guidelines for equitable access to treatment and equipment in a context of scarce resources.

achievement achievement

How to ensure equitable access to vaccination during the current and future pandemics? The Council of Europe Committee on Bioethics has made today a number of recommendations.