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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role...
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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 3651

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Silvia Ussai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: international partnerships; pharmacology; access to medicines; development cooperation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

My name is Silvia Ussai. I am a medical doctor and pharmacologist specializing in international healthcare management, economics, and policy at SDA Bocconi. I have vast experience in pharmaceutical policies and regulations, both at the national (Italian) level and internationally, serving as a public health expert across different high-level commissions and UN agencies. I strongly believe in global partnering and science diplomacy for strengthening health systems. I am very pleased to invite you to submit your contribution for the Special Issue entitled “UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care”. The subject is fully aligned with the journal’s scope, looking at the role of global partnerships (including those that are donor-driven) in supporting equitable access to advanced medical investigation and treatments, medication management, disease prevention, and early diagnosis, as well as treatment and comprehensive strategies for care.

This Special Issue aims to discuss and present healthcare outcomes and initiatives resulting from international partnerships, alliances, pilots, and/or demonstrative actions and projects. This will provide a platform for showcasing the importance of science diplomacy and exchanging best practices.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, reviews, case reports, research notes, and short communications are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Pharmacology
  • clinical trials
  • access to medicines and vaccines
  • healthy aging
  • health system strengthening
  • health economics
  • global health security
  • digital health
  • public health
  • health impact assessment (HIA)
  • education and training
  • gender and social inclusion
  • political economics
  • communications and knowledge management
  • monitoring, evaluation, and learning
  • procurement
  • health information systems
  • health policy
  • health advocacy and science communication
  • non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
  • neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
  • HIV
  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Silvia Ussai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • treatment and comprehensive strategies
  • health policy
  • disease prevention
  • medication management
  • international partnerships

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1115 KiB  
Article
Regional Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Progressing Towards the Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination
by Silvia Ussai, Teymur Seyidov, Tamar Khomasuridze and on behalf of the Regional Alliance Group of Experts on HPV Vaccination
Healthcare 2025, 13(10), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101209 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 473
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer remains a critical public health challenge in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where systemic barriers have hindered prevention efforts. This descriptive regional study evaluates progress toward achieving Target 1 of the WHO Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer remains a critical public health challenge in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where systemic barriers have hindered prevention efforts. This descriptive regional study evaluates progress toward achieving Target 1 of the WHO Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination—vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15—in 17 countries and territories. The research is situated within the context of the Regional Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention in EECA, a multi-stakeholder platform launched by UNFPA in 2021 to accelerate regional progress toward WHO targets. The Alliance supports countries through technical collaboration, shared learning, and political engagement. Therefore, as a secondary endpoint, the study explores possible correlations between national achievements and the post-2021 scale-up efforts supported by the Alliance. Methods: A standardized questionnaire, consolidated by United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) technical experts, was disseminated in November 2024 to 17 national focal points, yielding 19 responses due to disaggregated submissions from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The survey collected data on HPV vaccination policies, delivery models, vaccine type, target populations, and coverage. Results: By late 2024, six countries had implemented HPV vaccination before 2021, while six more launched programs after the Regional Alliance’s formation in 2021. Coverage varied widely, from 0.2% in Brčko District to 99.3% in Uzbekistan. Most countries targeted girls aged 9–14, with increasing male inclusion and catch-up cohorts. Gardasil 4 was the most used vaccine, though Gardasil 9 is gaining ground. School-based and hybrid delivery strategies were associated with significantly higher coverage (p = 0.0121). Inferential analysis also showed significant variation by vaccine type (p = 0.0067) and a positive correlation with program maturity (ρ = 0.52, p = 0.067). However, findings should be interpreted considering limitations including reliance on self-reported country data and absence of independent validation. Conclusions: The results offer actionable insights into delivery models, gender inclusion, and regional disparities—supporting efforts to close the gap toward 2030 elimination targets in EECA Countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care)
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9 pages, 176 KiB  
Communication
Towards Global Health Equity: A Prototype for Standardizing Patient Satisfaction Measurement in Alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
by Mathew P. Morico and Samuel E. Neher
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070697 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Global patient satisfaction is vital for healthcare quality, yet no survey enables effective cross-country comparisons. Existing tools are limited in scope, focusing on aspects like Patient-Reported Experience Measures, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, or systemic factors within individual settings. This study introduces the Morico [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Global patient satisfaction is vital for healthcare quality, yet no survey enables effective cross-country comparisons. Existing tools are limited in scope, focusing on aspects like Patient-Reported Experience Measures, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, or systemic factors within individual settings. This study introduces the Morico International Healthcare Satisfaction Survey prototype to facilitate global comparisons, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: We developed the prototype by reviewing existing surveys to identify relevant question formats, thematic focuses, and distribution methods. Surveys were chosen for their relevance and established use in healthcare settings. Our analysis highlighted common elements and gaps, guiding the design of a comprehensive tool that integrates Patient-Reported Experience Measures, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, and systemic factors for global comparisons. Results: Existing surveys varied significantly in length and focus, revealing a lack of standardization. Best practices emphasized concise, clear surveys with standardized responses and online distribution. Our prototype includes 25 questions across eight sections, adapted for global use and broader healthcare systems. It provides a comprehensive framework for international comparisons. Conclusions: No standardized survey exists for cross-country healthcare comparisons. The Morico International Healthcare Satisfaction Survey prototype addresses this gap, paving the way for future refinement and implementation to enhance global healthcare quality and policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care)
16 pages, 241 KiB  
Article
International Partnerships in Health Education: Adapting E-Learning Models for Conflict-Affected Myanmar
by Clelia D’Apice and Massimo Guasconi
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030285 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 964
Abstract
Background: In the wake of Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, the University of Parma, in partnership with Myanmar and Brazilian institutions, developed an asynchronous e-learning program to sustain healthcare education amid severe disruptions. The program aimed to address urgent training needs in emergency medicine, [...] Read more.
Background: In the wake of Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, the University of Parma, in partnership with Myanmar and Brazilian institutions, developed an asynchronous e-learning program to sustain healthcare education amid severe disruptions. The program aimed to address urgent training needs in emergency medicine, public health management, and mental health, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: An educational needs assessment involving 298 surveys and 10 interviews identified training priorities. Based on these findings, a four-module e-learning course was created, covering basic life support, trauma care, pediatric emergencies, and psychological assistance. The course utilized prerecorded high-fidelity telesimulations with multilingual support to ensure accessibility. Evaluation included participant satisfaction using the MSSE questionnaire and knowledge acquisition through post-module quizzes. Results: Over 750 students participated, with significant knowledge acquisition observed—60% scored 8 or higher across all modules. The MSSE questionnaire, completed by 152 students, revealed high satisfaction, with 88% agreeing that the course enhanced clinical reasoning, decision-making, and self-reflection Conclusions: This program demonstrates the value of international partnerships and e-learning in sustaining medical education during crises. High student engagement and strong learning outcomes affirm its efficacy. Future iterations will aim to improve completion rates, refine feedback mechanisms, and expand accessibility. This scalable model offers a blueprint for addressing healthcare training needs in conflict-affected and resource-limited settings, contributing to global health resilience and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care)
12 pages, 203 KiB  
Article
Insights into Drug Donation Practices and Public Perceptions in Saudi Arabia
by Ibrahim Alredaini, Nada Fayez Alshehri, Khadijah Jameel Muzayen, Renad Alalwani, Ghosoon Bafaraj, Abdullah S. Alshammari, Adnan S. Alharbi, Hazim M. AlHuzaym, Mahmoud Elrggal, Abdulmalik S. Alotaibi, Nasser M. Alorfi, Mohammed Alrashed, Abdullah A. Alhifany and Mohammed A. Alnuhait
Healthcare 2024, 12(19), 2001; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12192001 - 7 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1211
Abstract
Background: Effective medication management, disposal, and donation are vital for public health and environmental sustainability. Improper handling of medications can lead to drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental damage. This study examines current practices and challenges in Saudi Arabia, identifying opportunities for improvement. [...] Read more.
Background: Effective medication management, disposal, and donation are vital for public health and environmental sustainability. Improper handling of medications can lead to drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental damage. This study examines current practices and challenges in Saudi Arabia, identifying opportunities for improvement. Method: A cross-sectional survey conducted in October and November 2023 targeted the general population in Saudi Arabia. This study employed convenience sampling to explore medication usage, storage, disposal practices, and awareness of donation procedures. Data were analyzed through both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: This study involved 430 respondents. Of these, 73.0% held a university degree, yet 66.3% were unaware of drug donation programs, and 84.2% lacked knowledge about proper medication disposal. Despite this, 71.4% believed that drug donation programs positively impact healthcare, and 87.9% saw them as reducing drug waste and environmental pollution. However, 48.1% expressed concerns about the potential misuse of donated medicines. Awareness and knowledge were significantly higher among participants aged 30 and above. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for enhanced public awareness, clear medication disposal guidelines, and ethically governed donation practices in Saudi Arabia. These measures can improve healthcare outcomes, protect the environment, and support global health and sustainability goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Beyond 2030 Agenda: The Role of International Partnerships and Alliances Towards Equitable Access to Care)
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