[MUSIC] At least half of the world's population still don't have full coverage of essential health services. And about 100 million people are still being pushed into extreme poverty, as a result of having to pay for healthcare. This has led to an increase in global momentum gained for the universal health coverage movement with the World Health Assembly, and the United Nations General Assembly. Calling on countries to urgently and significantly scale up efforts to accelerate the transition towards universal access, to affordable and quality healthcare services. So what is universal health coverage? And how does it contribute to strengthening health systems? Universal Health Coverage, or UHC for short, means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. This includes the full spectrum of essential quality health services from health promotion, to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. UHC is firmly based on the 1948 WHO Constitution, which declares health as a fundamental human right, and commits to ensuring the highest attainable level of health for all. Health is a right, and not a privilege. Good health allows children to learn, and adults to earn. It helps people escape from poverty, and provides the basis for long-term economic development. This means that UHC is a critical component of sustainable development, and poverty reduction. And a cornerstone of any effort to reduce social and gender inequities. Achieving UHC was one of targets set when adopting the sustainable development goals. Countries that progressed towards UHC will make progress towards the other related targets, and towards the other goals. UHC doesn't only contribute to better health as DG3. It also contributes to economic growth and job creation, as DG8. Gender equality as DG5, education as DG4, nutrition as DG2, and poverty reduction as DG1. UHC does not mean free coverage for all possible health interventions though. No country can provide all services free of charge on a sustainable basis, nor is it just about health financing. It encompasses all components of the health system, health services delivery systems, the health workforce, health facilities, and communication networks. Health technologies, information systems, quality assurance mechanisms and governance and legislation. It is also about ensuring a progressive expansion of coverage of health services and financial protections. As more resources become available, not just a minimum package of health services. And it includes population-based services, like public health campaigns, or fluoridating water, not just individual treatment services. UHC is not a destination or a target, it's more like a means to an end. Core values in terms of operationalizing UHC includes fairness, which means that coverage and use is based on need. Benefit maximization, which means that priority is given to the policies that generate the greatest value for money, and are cost effective. Fair contributions, which means that contributions are based on ability to pay, and not meet the supports financial risk protection, and accountability. Moving towards universal health coverage requires strengthening health systems in all countries. Robust financing structures and increased access to health services at all levels of healthcare, including essential specialized health services are key to achieving this. Improving health service coverage and health outcomes depends on the availability, accessibility, and capacity of the health workforce to deliver quality people centered integrated care. This means that primary healthcare is at the heart of the global drive to achieve universal health coverage. And investments in this area will be the cornerstone for achieving UHC around the world. So can countries know whether they're making progress towards UHC? UHC can be measured, and monitoring its progress should focus on two things. The proportion of population that can access essential quality health services, and the proportion of the population that spends a large amount of household income on health. Coverage of health services can be measured by the percentage of people receiving the services they need. For example, women in fertile age groups accessing modern methods of family planning, or children immunized. On the other hand, financial risk protection can be evaluated by reduction in the number of families pushed into poverty, or placed under severe economic strain due to health costs. Together with the World Bank, WHO has developed a framework to track the progress of UHC by monitoring both categories. Taking into account with the overall level, and the extent to which UHC is acquitable offering service coverage. And financial protection to all people within the population, such as the poor, or those living in remote areas. So you see, universal health coverage is comprised of much more than just health. And taking steps towards UHC means steps towards equity, development priorities, and social inclusion and cohesion. [MUSIC]
