Professor Muhammad Yunus urged that healthcare should not be left to profit seekers while speaking at a high-level UN meeting on transforming primary healthcare, and his message was clear and practical. He said health services must put people first and not be driven by profit, because when money is the goal many people are left out. He pointed to the COVID vaccine roll-out as a clear example where a small number of countries secured most supplies and many places were left with little or nothing. That episode showed how markets alone can fail to make sure every person gets basic care, he said. Mr Yunus suggested that the health sector needs more social business models that aim to solve social problems while staying financially stable. Social business means running services so they cover costs and stay long term but do not push profit above access and quality. He spoke about practical steps to build fair, local services that reach ordinary people in towns and villages. One idea is to strengthen primary care so that families do not depend on expensive hospital visits for simple needs. Primary care can include village clinics, trained community health workers and simple diagnostic tools that catch problems early. Early detection and basic treatment save money and lives, and they keep small health problems from turning into crises. Mr Yunus also stressed fair distribution of medicines and vaccines and better global cooperation in times of crisis. He said richer countries and global partners should plan so supplies reach lower income places quickly and fairly. Local groups, non profits and social enterprises were named as key partners to fill gaps where markets fail. He mentioned that organizations with local roots can adapt services to language, culture and daily life, which helps people use care more easily. The role of training and clear standards was also highlighted so community workers can give safe, useful help. Data, simple monitoring and open reporting can show where services are working and where more help is needed. These checks help build trust so people go early to clinics and follow medical advice. He noted that care that is affordable and close to home also reduces pressure on big hospitals and lowers costs for families. The overall tone was hopeful: with careful design, social business models can widen care and keep services running without relying on profit alone. Small pilots, partnerships with local groups and steady funding can test good ideas and grow the best ones. With fair distribution of medicines, trained local teams and policies that protect access, many more people can get the care they need. That approach promises healthier communities, fewer crises and a stronger system that serves people first.
