From what initial number did the UHC coverage index increase?

The initial number from which the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) coverage index increased is significant because it sets the baseline for understanding how much progress has been made in expanding health coverage. In this context, an initial coverage index of 45 indicates that, at that point, a relatively moderate percentage of the population had access to essential health services and financial protection against health-related financial risks.

The increase from this baseline number reflects efforts in policy and healthcare infrastructure improvements to reach more people with services and benefits. Observing the growth from 45 highlights that while there was some coverage, there was ample room for expansion, which various health initiatives subsequently aimed to address in order to achieve broader and more equitable access to healthcare.

Thus, the choice of 45 as the starting point provides a clear indication of the challenges previously faced in the realm of health coverage and underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to improve these metrics to ensure that universal health coverage becomes a reality for more populations globally.