Countries around the world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, observe Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on December 12 each year to raise awareness of the importance of building sustainable health systems and providing lifelong, people-centered primary healthcare that is high quality and affordable for all.
Universal Health Coverage Day aims to enhance public awareness of health issues and mobilize resources and political commitment to address them, contributing to a safer and healthier future. It also promotes the development of healthcare facilities in line with modern regulatory and quality standards, including the training and upskilling of medical and administrative personnel to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
Saudi Arabia recognizes primary healthcare as a cornerstone of achieving universal health coverage and has taken accelerated steps in this area by upgrading the infrastructure of primary healthcare centers, expanding specialized clinics—including mental health clinics—strengthening training programs for family physicians and nursing staff, activating the community role of these centers, and deploying mobile primary healthcare clinics to serve remote areas.
The Kingdom has intensified its efforts in health promotion and disease prevention to control chronic diseases and reduce associated risk factors. It has also supported international initiatives highlighting the role of universal health coverage in advancing sustainable development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by delivering integrated and coordinated healthcare services that address physical, psychological, and social needs, ensuring inclusive and sustainable health coverage for all segments of society.
Saudi Arabia places strong emphasis on universal health coverage through its continued support for the World Health Organization’s regional office, contributing to the achievement of UHC targets across the region. This has driven significant progress in the healthcare sector as a key pillar of sustainable development by improving access to healthcare services, enhancing quality and efficiency, strengthening prevention against health risks, and improving overall quality of life.
The Kingdom also adopts a healthcare model focused on delivering integrated, people-centered services that respond to beneficiaries’ physical, psychological, and social needs, ensuring comprehensive and sustainable health coverage for all, while prioritizing health promotion, protection, and disease prevention as the first line of defense and the most effective approach to managing chronic diseases and related risk factors.