Primary Health Care at the Heart of #HealthForAll

Health: It’s on the government! This Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, WONCA joins the global call to remind governments of their responsibility to ensure equitable, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for everyone, everywhere.

Since the United Nations declared December 12th as International Universal Health Coverage Day, it has become a powerful moment to advocate for strong and resilient health systems that protect the most vulnerable populations from financial hardship. Today, more than ever, we need to act to ensure healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.

Why UHC Matters

Globally, 4.5 billion people still lack access to essential health services. Even more alarming, 2 billion people face financial hardship when accessing care, and 1.3 billion are pushed into poverty due to health expenses. This crisis disproportionately affects the poorest, women, children, and marginalized communities, creating urgent calls for change.

Primary health care is the cornerstone of universal health coverage. It is cost-effective, inclusive, and capable of addressing 90% of essential health needs. By prioritizing primary care, governments can build equitable systems that ensure no one is left behind.

Watch and share this video to join the conversation:

Investing in Health for All

Strong health systems not only protect lives but also foster social and economic growth. Universal health coverage contributes to:

• Equity: Ensuring marginalized communities can access care.
• Economic Growth: Healthy populations drive productivity and resilience.
• Social Cohesion: Shared health systems unite societies around common goals.

WONCA’s global network of family doctors knows that UHC starts with primary care. As the first point of contact, primary care provides comprehensive services that prevent illness, promote health, and manage chronic conditions, creating a foundation for a healthier world.

Call to Action

On UHC Day 2024, WONCA calls on leaders to make bigger, smarter investments in health systems that work for everyone. Governments must prioritize:

• Financial Protection: Eliminate catastrophic health expenses.
• Health Equity: Ensure access for the most vulnerable populations.
• Sustainable Health Budgets: Fund essential services through fair and reliable mechanisms.

Together, we can build a future where health truly is for all. Let’s make UHC not just a goal but a reality by 2030.

Learn more and join the campaign: universalhealthcoverageday.org