The United Nations (UN) International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is annually observed worldwide on 12 December to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage.
The International UHC 2024 theme is “Health: It’s on the government”.
- The theme reminds leaders that it is their duty to ensure healthcare remains affordable or free, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable populations.
Background:
i.In 2014, the Universal Health Coverage Coalition began observing December 12 as UHC Day to mark the date when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially acknowledged the significance of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
ii.In 2017, UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/72/138, declaring December 12th as “International Universal Health Coverage Day” to be observed annually.
iii.The first-ever International UHC Day was observed on 12th December 2018.
Why December 12?
On December 12, 2012, UNGA unanimously adopted a resolution calling on countries to prioritize and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a key objective for international development.
Significance:
i.UHC Day provides a key platform for countries to reaffirm their commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage, particularly in the wake of the significant socio-economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.The objective of the observance of UHC day is to achieve UHC by 2030, through collaborative efforts across sectors, involving government, the private sector non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society.
2024 Events:
i.UHC2030, in collaboration with the Coalition of Partnerships for UHC and Global Health, launched the 2024 UHC Day campaign with the theme, “Health: It’s in the hands of the government.”
ii.The Global Health Expenditure Report 2024, released on December 12, highlights stagnation in health coverage since 2015 and an increase in burdensome personal health care costs, challenging UHC goals for 2030.
iii.The UHC Partnership (UHC-P) Global Meeting 2024 will take place in Lyon, France from 11 to 13 December 2024.
- This event aims to leverage the momentum of WHO’s new global health strategy (GPW14) to reorient health systems towards a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach to advance universal health coverage and health security.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY):
i.Ayushman Bharat, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, was launched on 23rd September 2018, following the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017. The scheme aims to achieve the vision of UHC in the country.
ii.It is the world’s largest health insurance scheme, designed to provide a health cover of Rs.5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization, benefiting over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families.
Key Facts:
i.Despite the adoption of the Sustainable Development Agenda in 2015, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, 4.5 billion people still lack access to essential health services.
ii.In past 20 years, financial protection has worsened, with 2 billion people experiencing financial hardship and 1.3 billion people pushed into poverty due to health expenses.
