World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on Tuesday called on countries gathered at the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) to ensure universal access to quality, affordable health services to help end extreme poverty by 2030.

It is estimated that out-of-pocket health spending forces 100 million people worldwide into extreme poverty every year and inflicts severe financial hardship on another 150 million people.

"We have the opportunity to unite global health and the fight against poverty in action focused on clear goals," Kim said.

He said he believes every country in the world can improve the performance of its health system in three dimensions of universal coverage: access, quality, and affordability.

He said the World Bank Group will support countries in their drive towards universal coverage through specific ways like ramping up analytic work and support for strengthening health system, leading an effort to help countries reach Millennium Development Goals and deepening work on the science of delivery.