Universal Health Coverage Day urges world leaders to “Keep the Promise”

12 / 12 / 2019

By Marwa Nassar - -

The 2019 International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC) on December 12 is meant to urge world leaders to “Keep the Promise” to secure quality health services for every one without being burdened with financial hardship.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said “Universal health coverage is integral to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals, our blueprint of a better future for people and planet. On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to health for all as an investment in humanity, wellbeing and prosperity for everyone.”

On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) – the idea that everyone, everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care – as an essential priority for international development. On 12 December 2017, the United Nations proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution 72/138.

The Inernational UHC Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage. Each year on 12 December, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, to call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and to remind the world that Health for All is imperative to create the world we want.

In September, all UN Member States agreed to a Political Declaration on UHC. Heads of state, at the High-Level Meeting on UHC at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2019, demonstrated strong political vision and commitment to ensuring UHC for the people they serve. In the resulting political declaration, UN Member States recognized the importance of primary health care as “the cornerstone of a sustainable health system for universal health coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals”.

Now, UHC advocates will take their turn to send them a message and this year’s UHC Day campaign theme says it loud and clear “Keep the Promise.”