Health is a human right but what is the role of the private sector to deliver it? Too many families around the world are driven into poverty by medical costs when governments struggle to meet the healthcare needs of their populations. Last week, at the World Health Summit, Save the Children convened a panel of experts from Gavi, GSK, Reach52, Kumwe Hub and the WHO to explore the potential of public-private partnerships to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage and ensuring access for those living in poverty.

The UK faced a recent heatwave and is braced for more to come. As worrying as this is for us, the health implications for children on the frontline of the climate emergency are so much more dire and exacerbated by fragile health systems as well as the recent cuts to overseas development assistance. The UK government must go further and faster to protect children from the devastating impacts of heatwaves and other climate extremes, both at home and abroad.

The NHS, which was delivered during post-war economic decline, turns 77 this Saturday while essential healthcare remains out of reach for over half of the world's population. Millions of children bear the brunt of this inequality, dying from preventable conditions. Universal Health Coverage could change this and with the UK’s leadership in supporting global health, free healthcare for all children everywhere could become a reality.

This pages traces the history of humanity's fight against deadly diseases and explores how vaccines have transformed global health. From Edward Jenner's groundbreaking discovery using cowpox to prevent smallpox, to the reduction of diseases like polio, measles, diphtheria, and tetanus. It also discusses the challenges of funding and misinformation today, and what breakthroughs—like malaria and TB vaccines—mean for the future. With partnerships like Gavi leading the way, vaccines continue to give every child the chance to grow up healthy and safe.

Save the Children World Pharmacist Day Campaign

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that nearly two billion people lack access to essential, life-saving medicines – a basic human right.