Call of the Universal Health Coverage Day

On December 12, the world observes Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, an annual event championed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to underscore the importance of accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all. This date marks the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution advocating for nations to ensure affordable healthcare for their citizens, reaffirming health as a fundamental human right.

Universal Health Coverage is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030), yet many nations struggle to provide even basic healthcare services. Reports from WaterAid reveal that inadequate infrastructure, such as the lack of potable water and electricity, hampers the delivery of first-world healthcare mechanisms in many regions.

A joint WHO and UNICEF survey in 2015 highlighted alarming gaps in healthcare facilities worldwide: 38 per cent lacked access to basic water sources and 35 per cent were without essential materials for proper hand-washing.

The WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Initiative, led by WHO and UNICEF, is a vital component of the UN's Global Action Plan. Its mission is to ensure that all healthcare facilities, regardless of location, are equipped with adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services by 2030.

This ambitious goal is supported by a coalition of eleven organising partners, including The Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank Group, Oxfam, and Save the Children, as well as 42 academic institutions and nearly 800 non-governmental organisations worldwide. Universal Health Coverage Day is more than a commemoration; it is a rallying cry for global action. Governments, organisations, and individuals must unite to address the gaps in healthcare delivery systems and prioritise investments in infrastructure.

Ashikujaman Syed

Business Development Manager

Fuyi (Xiamen) Material Technology Co. Ltd.

Xiamen, China

[email protected]