The United Nations(UN)’s International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is annually observed across the globe on 12th December to create awareness about the need for strong and resilient health systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The day also signifies the unprecedented momentum and global commitment to achieving Health for All by 2030.
The theme of UHC Day 2021 is “Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest in health systems for all.”
Background:
i.The Universal Health Coverage Day was first organised on 12th December 2014 by the Universal Health Coverage Coalition.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/138 on 12th December 2017 and proclaimed the 12th December of every year as the International Universal Health Coverage Day.
iii.The first official International Universal Health Coverage Day was observed on 12th December 2018.
Significance:
The UHC Day, 12th December, also marks the anniversary of the UN’s unanimous endorsement of universal health coverage in 2012
Universal Health Coverage (UHC):
i.UHC entails ensuring that all individuals and communities have access to quality health services, including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation, without incurring financial hardship.
ii.This concept covers three key elements: access, quality, and financial protection.
UHC in India:
i.Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme of the Indian government.
ii.The scheme was recommended by the National Health Policy 2017 to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
iii.It was designed to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlying commitment to “leave no one behind.”
iv.The scheme adopted a continuum of care approach, comprising of two interrelated components,
- Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
HWCs:
In 2018, The government announced the creation of around 1.5 lakh HWCs by transforming the existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres.
Aim: To deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) bringing healthcare closer to the homes of people.
PMJAY:
Prime Minister Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on 23rd September 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, as a step towards UHC.
- It was a part of the effort towards providing health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to more than 10.74 crores of poor and vulnerable families (around 50 crore beneficiaries) of the poorest 40% of the Indian population.
- PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
