Overview:
On December 12, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed 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. On December 12, 2017, the United Nations declared December 12 as Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by Resolution 72/138.
Every year on December 12, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, champion what we've achieved so far, call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and encourage diverse groups to make commitments to help Bringing the world closer to universal health coverage by 2030.
COVID-19 pandemic has shown once again that universal health coverage and health security are intertwined goals of protecting everyone, everywhere, that we achieve through the same health system - in crisis and in calm. For health systems to work, they must work for everyone — no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have.
On December 12, join us to demand action on universal health coverage and call on leaders to invest in health systems and primary health care for all who are not left behind. Our lives, livelihoods and future depend on it.
Objectives:
- International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners.
- Recognize and celebrate progress towards universal health coverage in the world.
- Raise awareness of the need for increased investment from governments to build a sustainable and resilient health system that can deliver affordable, high-quality, participatory, lifelong primary health care to all.
- Emphasizing that now is the time to reprioritize universal health coverage and for health systems to work, they must work for everyone.
Facts:
Equitable health coverage puts women, children, adolescents and the most vulnerable first because they face the most significant barriers to delivering essential care.
Official Date:
Globally: December 12th, 2023
Locally: Jumada al-Alawwal 28th, 1445H