New Delhi: Universal Health Coverage Day is observed annually on December 12 to recognise the importance of health for every individual all over the world. It draws our attention toward the importance of investment in the healthcare system to develop a healthier future. The day brings leaders together on a platform to make smarter investments and accelerate efforts towards ‘Health for All’. Additionally, it reflects on achievements and identifies areas in need of improvement to progress toward a more just and healthier society without suffering significant financial hardship.
The day promotes the well-being of families, and communities lift the poor from poverty, protects against public health crises, and moves us toward health for everyone. History and significance of the day Initially, the day was promoted by the World Health Organization to promote access to affordable and quality healthcare for everyone. Following that, the UN General Assembly on December 12, 2012, passed a resolution encouraging nations to advance efforts toward universal healthcare (UHC). Everyone, irrespective of caste, colour, gender, creed, and where they belong, should have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, which is a key goal for global development. Later in 2017, United Nations declared December 12 as International Universal Health Coverage Day. Since then, the promoters of universal healthcare come together to speak out to celebrate the accomplishments achieved so far and also acknowledge the fact that there is still a significant chunk of the population that currently lacks access to healthcare. Theme of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day- 2022 The day is observed with a different theme every year to fulfil its goals and objectives. The theme for this year is, “Build the world we want: A healthy future for all.” It emphasises that to build strong health systems we need equity, trust, healthy environments, investments, and accountability. This Universal Health Coverage Day marks the kick-off of WHO’s 75th anniversary of making health for all a reality and the countdown to the high-level meeting on UHC taking place at the UN General Assembly in 2023. Quotes on Universal Health Coverage Day “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best relationship,” – Buddha “He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything,” – Thomas Carlyle “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit,” — BKS Iyengar “A healthy outside starts from the inside,”- Robert Urich