WHO and the European Commission (EC) have signed the next phase of the UHC Partnership. The ‘Health System Strengthening for UHC partnership programme worth EUR 123,750 million (US$ 135 million) will support activities between 2019-2022.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, thanked the European Commission for its “relentless” support in supporting countries’ move towards UHC.
He added that “WHO has no higher priority than universal health coverage. It improves health, and helps reduce poverty, drive inclusive economic growth and advance gender equality. I am grateful to the European Union for its generous financial support: our partnership with the European Union is critical to making UHC a reality for one billion more people by 2023.”
The UHC partnership deployed a wide range of experts in 66 countries who work to advance progress towards universal health coverage in all six WHO geographical regions.
When a country decides to move towards universal health coverage, it makes a political choice to ensure that all people receive quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. Acting on that choice requires robust policies and political will, backed up by strong government capacity. The UHC partnership supports the process by fostering “policy dialogue”, helping to drive evidence-informed decision making and action.
The European Commission is committed to Universal Health Coverage as a means to reduce inequalities. Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development said “With this contribution of €102 million we want to give a real boost to the ambitious goal of Universal Health Coverage for all by 2030. This initiative confirms the leading role of the European Union in putting these universal principles into practice and strengthening our partnership with WHO.”
The signing ceremony took place in the sidelines of the European Development Days, a 2-day forum in Brussels held 18-19 June 2019 to bring together the cooperation and development community around the theme of inequalities and their link with sustainable development.
"I am grateful to the European Union for its generous financial support: our partnership with the #EuropeanUnion is critical to making #HealthForAll a reality for one billion more people by 2023."
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 18, 2019
- @DrTedros https://t.co/gXdGQMRJDg #EDD19 pic.twitter.com/UepHeNrvSR
About the UHC Partnership
Today, millions of people across the globe do not have equal and affordable access to quality health services. The Universal Health Coverage Partnership takes a targeted and collaborative approach. It puts countries in the lead to address UHC challenges while strengthening WHO’s role as a facilitator, broker, and advisor in supporting ministries of health in the development and implementation of health system strategies aimed at achieving UHC.
The main objective of the Partnership is to provide technical assistance to ministries of health, aimed at strengthening health systems. The Partnership also provides seed funding to catalyze national strategies that help pave the way towards UHC. UHC-Partnership’s innovative use of funding allows flexibility for countries, both in the choice of activities, tailored to country needs and for funds to be used in different ways, depending on the country’s situation. This flexibility puts countries firmly in the “driver’s seat”. Support provided through the UHC-Partnership is aligned with national policies and harmonized and coordinated with other donor-supported health interventions. This has been critical in ensuring a consistent and comprehensive UHC approach in countries.
The UHC-Partnership has delivered solid, sustained achievements in strengthening health systems and making progress towards UHC and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The UHC-Partnership has supported hundreds of interventions in countries over the past seven years. These activities had a positive impact on the governance of the health sector through population consultations, health sector coordination mechanisms and recognition of UHC as a key driver of policies, financial protection, as well as Primary Health Care, oriented interventions in countries. This also encompasses women’s empowerment at various levels of decision making in countries.
The Universal Health Coverage Partnership is supported and funded by WHO, the European Union, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Irish Aid, the Government of Japan and the French Republic, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Matthias Reinicke, Policy Officer, Directorate General International Cooperation and Development is interviewed on the UHC Partnership model.
- About the UHC Partnership
- How the EU supports partner countries in achieving Universal Health Coverage