An-Najah News - The 12th of December of every year marks an International Day to celebrate universal health coverage, as approved by the United Nations General Assembly
Dr. Khayriah Rasas, Vice President of An-Najah National University for International Affairs, stressed the importance of protecting everyone who invests in health systems as she hope that Palestine could have the ability to provide its nation with the necessary health care in a sustainable community system
She affirmed that on 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) – the idea that everyone, everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care - as an essential priority for international development. On 12 December 2017, the United Nations proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution 72/138.
The universal health coverage, means that all individuals and communities should have access to the health services they need when and where they are needed, and this is according to the World Health Organization.
According to the WHO at least 50% of the world's population is unable to obtain the necessary health services for them, and about a hundred million people are getting poorer because they have to pay for the necessary health care services from their own money.
Here are the key messages of UHC Day:
*Universal health coverage is about ensuring that all people can access quality health services, wherever and whenever they need them without facing financial obstacles.
*No one should have to choose between being healthy and the other necessities of life.
*Universal health coverage is achievable, and some countries have made significant progress in this regard.
*The challenge for UHC is to maintain coverage to live up to people's expectations.
It is worth noting that universal health coverage does not mean free of all possible health interventions, regardless of cost, as no country can provide all services for free in a sustainable manner.
A number of officials and activists shared the official hashtag of the event.
Dr. Khayriah Rasas, Vice President of An-Najah National University for International Affairs, stressed the importance of protecting everyone who invests in health systems as she hope that Palestine could have the ability to provide its nation with the necessary health care in a sustainable community system
She affirmed that on 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) – the idea that everyone, everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care - as an essential priority for international development. On 12 December 2017, the United Nations proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution 72/138.
