The World Health Day is marked on 7 April every year to commemorate the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. This is a milestone year as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of WHO.
The Organization was founded on the conviction that health is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Over time, that conviction has evolved into a single, powerful idea: Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the assertion that every single person must have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship.
The befitting theme of World Health Day this year is “Health for All”: “Universal Health Coverage, everyone, everywhere” as we envisioned a more equitable world.
Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong, Health Minister said “WHO has been in Lao People’s Democratic Republic since 1952 and a valued partner to the Ministry of Health for more than 50 years. The Ministry is committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2025 to improve equitable access for the health and well-being of our people.”
Half of the world’s population still does not have access to essential health services they need. Many are forced to make devastating and heartbreaking choices between buying food and medicine, feeding their families or paying for basic health services.
There is ample evidence from around the world that UHC does not only improve health, but reduces poverty, creates jobs, drives economic growth, promotes gender equality, and protects population against epidemics.
Universal health coverage and health security ensure that people have access to health services that are safe, affordable and of good quality; and outbreaks or other health emergencies can be prevented, detected early and contained before they become large-scale disasters.
Dr Juliet Fleischl, WHO Representative to Lao PDR, said “WHO would like to commend MOH for embracing UHC, and the continued political commitment toward achieving UHC and SDGs. We encourage the ministry to prioritize investment of domestic resources, to address health inequalities so that no one is left behind.”
The joint event by the Ministry of Health and WHO to mark the 70th anniversary was attended by several related ministries, diplomatic missions, partner agencies, and the media. The policy dialogue on the Health sector reform and 3 builds directive are identified as essential tools for achieving UHC in Lao PDR. The panel for the policy dialogue includes policymakers from the National Assembly and Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Decades of lessons in global public health have taught us that bold objectives require paradigm shifts in action. The investment in UHC will yield significant economic returns, translate to better health, improved productivity and higher income for individuals. Universal Health Coverage, everyone, everywhere, means no one should have to choose again between good health and other life necessities. Prioritized investment of domestic resources will not only ensure that many will be lifted from poverty and no one is left behind, but will also provide an essential platform for demonstrating the significant economic returns and ensure marked investments within the health sector.
Dr Juliet Fleischl and Assoc Prof Dr Bounkong Syhavong at the event.