International Day for Universal Health Coverage (12/12)

December 12 is International Universal Health Coverage Day.

The issue of increasing attention to the health of the world's population has repeatedly become a topic of discussion at meetings of the UN General Assembly, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

Back in 2012, the General Assembly adopted a resolution addressed to all UN member states, which called for strengthening all possible measures to achieve a global result: universal coverage of the world's population with health services. This meant achieving a level of development in which quality health services, ranging from diagnosis and prevention of diseases to advanced methods of treating them, would become available to the general population, regardless of their social status and situation.

In its resolution, the UN General Assembly addressed not only states represented by their authorities, but also medical organizations, civil society structures and business representatives, since achieving this goal directly depends on both the political will of the authorities and the position on this issue representatives of the civil community.

We must not forget about the financial factor, which also plays a key role in resolving this issue, since the state must find additional funds to finance projects, development models, promising medical technologies and the healthcare system as a whole, and the participation of business representatives in this process can play a very big role. The creation of charitable foundations that provide support to sick people becomes a serious help for many people, and when it comes to children's health, the participation of such organizations in solving health problems becomes invaluable.

The low level of medical services in a number of countries around the world leads to the fact that epidemics regularly rage there, killing thousands of people. Social stratification in developed countries, along with the high cost of providing medical services and drugs, is also becoming a serious problem for large sections of the population belonging to a certain social group, identified on the basis of the level of well-being and called a socially vulnerable, unprotected category.

In December 2017, the UN, in resolution 72/138, declared December 12 as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day). The ultimate goal should be: strengthening the physical and mental health of citizens, increasing life expectancy, increasing the level of well-being and well-being, and bringing society to a new level of humanistic principles of coexistence.

An important condition for the success of the implementation of this task is the instillation in younger generations of a sense of mutual assistance and resistance to indifference to the fate of those who are nearby and need support. Building a society according to this principle becomes the most important factor, without which no humanistic tasks will be carried out.

In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a test of strength for health systems around the world. While the harsh lessons learned from it are not new, and fear and inequality reflect the daily reality of millions of people who suffered before the pandemic, the sheer scale of the crisis has underscored the urgent need for universal health coverage. More leaders than ever are paying attention, and more people than ever are demanding change.

Universal health coverage and access to quality health care will help improve people's physical and mental health, improve well-being and increase life expectancy. No one should be forgotten.



Postcard «December 12 — International Day of Universal Health Coverage»

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