Statement from Coalition of Partnerships for UHC: Health for all is a cornerstone of equity, rights and justice
10th July 2023
The Coalition of Partnerships for Universal Health Coverage and Global Health has published a statement in the Lancet Global Health calling on countries to make urgent progress towards achieving health for all, as a matter of health security, equity, rights and justice.
The statement was published ahead of the High-Level Political Forum taking place from 10 to 19 July, where recovery from COVID-19 and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will be discussed by world leaders, and three United Nations High-Level Meetings on tuberculosis, pandemic preparedness, and universal health coverage being held in September 2023.
It highlights the interrelated nature of the issues to be addressed at these high-level events, and that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a common denominator among them all. It urges governments to make actionable commitments aligned with the Action Agenda from the UHC Movement, proposing three focus areas: integrating health services at the primary care
level to address diverse health needs across the life course; informing and engaging communities in the co-design of services that meet their needs; and ensuring adequate and sustainable financing for health coverage that leaves no one behind.
Drawing on hard-learned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and those of increasingly frequent climate-related disasters, the statement holds governments accountable for the health and health security of their populations, including the most marginalised and vulnerable groups. It also calls on governments - as well as civil society and community-based health programmes - to close gaps and inequities that were widened during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 slogan ‘No one is safe until everyone is safe’ remains true today, as our health systems and communities continue to be vulnerable to pandemics, climate change disasters and other crises. Ensuring resilient and equitable health and community systems is a cornerstone to sustainable development, which can only be achieved at global level with the collaboration of all countries.
Recognizing the need for greater collaboration and harmonisation across health stakeholders and programmes, the Coalition of Partnerships for UHC and Global Health unites health leaders and advocates in a common goal to align advocacy and accountability efforts to achieve UHC and advance the SDGs. NCD Alliance CEO Katie Dain is a member of the Coalition and a co-author of the statement.