Universal Health Coverage Day 2024: Ensuring Health for All

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed annually on December 12, serving as a rallying point for the global movement advocating for health for all. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), UHC aims to provide access to quality health services for everyone without causing financial hardship. This day marks a critical opportunity to reflect on progress and mobilize action toward achieving this essential goal.

History and Significance of UHC Day 2024

On December 12, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution urging nations to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Five years later, on December 12, 2017, the UN officially declared December 12 as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) through resolution 72/138.

Significance of Financial Protection

Despite significant efforts over the past two decades, financial protection has worsened:

• 2 billion people face financial hardship due to healthcare costs.
• 1.3 billion people are driven into poverty by health expenditures.

These statistics underscore a pressing need for systemic change. When financial barriers exist, vulnerable groups, such as mothers and individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), often miss out on timely medical interventions, exacerbating health inequities.

Access to Essential Health Services

Universal health coverage is not just a health priority but a cornerstone for sustainable development. Healthy populations contribute to communities that are:

• Resilient
• Productive
• Peaceful
• Prosperous

Despite numerous political commitments, over half the global population lacks access to basic health services. Without adequate investment in healthcare, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 remains unattainable.

Call to Action

WHO emphasizes the urgent need for governments to:

1. Increase public health investments.
2. Implement financial protection measures to shield the vulnerable from impoverishing healthcare costs.

WHO’s Observations on UHC

By adopting the Sustainable Development Agenda in 2015, global leaders committed to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Subsequent High-Level Meetings on UHC in 2019 and 2023 reaffirmed these commitments. However, significant challenges persist:

• 4.5 billion people still lack access to essential health services.
• Financial hardship from healthcare costs has increased dramatically in the last two decades.

WHO’s rallying cry for UHC Day 2024 is clear: “Governments must invest in health for all and protect vulnerable populations from impoverishing health spending.”

India’s Commitment to UHC

India is firmly committed to achieving UHC by 2030, aligning with the global SDG targets. To this end, the Government of India has implemented several transformative measures:

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

The flagship AB PM-JAY scheme provides hospital-level care to over 100 million poor families in both public and private hospitals. Key highlights include:

• Free health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family.
• Special provisions for senior citizens aged 70 and above.

Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

India’s HWCs initiative aims to bolster primary healthcare infrastructure by establishing 150,000 centers. These centers are designed to:

• Improve accessibility to healthcare services.
• Promote preventive healthcare measures.

Increased Public Investment

India’s approach to achieving UHC emphasizes substantial public health investments to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures and ensure equitable healthcare access.

The Path Forward

UHC Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address financial barriers and ensure health equity. The global community, including nations like India, must prioritize investments in healthcare systems that protect the most vulnerable populations. By doing so, we can move closer to realizing the vision of health for all and achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024 – Summary

Aspect	Details
Why in News	UHC Day is observed annually on December 12 to advocate for universal access to quality health services without financial hardship.
History	– December 12, 2012: UN adopted a resolution urging nations to accelerate UHC progress. – December 12, 2017: UN officially declared December 12 as International UHC Day through resolution 72/138.
Key Challenges	– Financial Protection: – 2 billion people face financial hardship due to healthcare costs. – 1.3 billion people are pushed into poverty by health expenditures. – Access to Health Services: – Over half the global population lacks basic health services. – 4.5 billion people lack essential health services.
Significance of UHC	– Cornerstone for sustainable development. – Contributes to resilient, productive, peaceful, and prosperous communities.
WHO’s Call to Action	– Increase public health investments. – Implement financial protection for vulnerable populations. – Focus on achieving SDG targets for health by 2030.
India’s Commitment	– Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY): – ₹5 lakh free health insurance per family. – Special provisions for senior citizens aged 70+. – Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): – 150,000 centers for primary healthcare services and preventive care. – Increased Public Investment: – Emphasis on reducing out-of-pocket expenditures and equitable access to healthcare.
Path Forward	– Prioritize investments in healthcare systems. – Address financial barriers to healthcare. – Ensure health equity to achieve SDGs by 2030.