Universal Health Coverage Day– December 12, 2021

Universal Health Coverage Day is observed each year on December 12 with the goal to ensure people around the world can get the quality health services they need without financial difficulty.
To end the crisis and build a more secure and healthier future, we should purchase health systems that protect us all. On Universal Health Coverage Day, let’s come together to demand action on universal health coverage.

HISTORY OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY
Universal Health Coverage Day was initially promoted by the World Health Organization. The World Health Company is part of the United Nations and is accountable for worldwide public health. In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution advising countries to fast-forward universal health care progression. The foundation hopes to cement the concept that everyone, everywhere must have access to inexpensive and quality healthcare, which is an essential priority for worldwide development.

While all UN member states, consisting of the United States, committed to accelerating the development towards universal health, around 30 million Americans stay uninsured. Lots of middle- and low-income countries are likewise trying to move in the instructions of affordable and quality healthcare but there is still a great deal of work to be done. Three countries are especially highlighted for their quality health care structures. Germany, which has the world’s first and earliest health-insurance system, the Netherlands, which has one of the best-performing healthcare systems, along with Canada, which is America’s neighbor of equal geographical size.

The first contemporary health care system was established by a German called Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1883. The insurance coverage design, called the ‘Bismarckian system’, needed everybody to have insurance coverage through sickness funds, which resembled the current-day non-profit health-insurance companies. This coverage was at first only restricted to blue-collar workers. Gradually, mandatory health insurance ended up being something for other social classes. By 1987, almost 90% of the population was covered. In 2007, Germany developed its supreme goal by passing a law that mandated medical insurance for all citizens.

In Canada, Saskatchewan became the first province to introduce universal public health insurance coverage for hospital and diagnostic services in 1947. Today, all Canadians are automatically covered by Medicare– the country’s openly financed healthcare system– that includes 13 provincial and territorial health plans. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, private insurance and compulsory sickness-fund systems were combined into a single system in 2006. All residents are needed to obtain medical insurance, acquired on a nationwide exchange.

Universal Health Coverage Day is also an opportunity to assess the progress made to date in the U.S. No two countries take the exact same path when it pertains to health care, as they construct their systems by taking into consideration their own historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts. While the U.S. has actually not yet attained universal health coverage, the UN goal for 2030 is within reach for the country, in addition to around the world.

UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY TIMELINE
2012
UN endorses a healthcare resolution
A resolution on worldwide health and foreign policy is passed by the UN, in the hope of speeding up development towards universal health coverage.

2015
2030 health goal
The UN adopts the target of universal health coverage by 2030, which includes access to safe, reliable, quality, and budget-friendly medications for all.

2017
Health and an inclusive society
A third UN resolution is passed calling for the health of the most vulnerable, to promote an inclusive health care society.

2018
Universal Health Coverage Day is cemented
The theme for UHC is ‘Unify for Universal Health Coverage: Now is the Time for Collective Action’ after the UN seals Universal Health Coverage Day every year on December 12 in 2017.

UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY FAQS
Why is universal health coverage essential?
Universal health coverage is essential to guaranteeing social protection for health. The poorest populations often deal with the greatest health risks and need more health services. Sharing resources is a crucial element to the funding for universal health coverage.

When did universal health coverage start?
Right now, not every country has universal health coverage. Universal health coverage ensures everyone has access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship as a result. In December 2012, a UN resolution was passed encouraging governments to move towards offering universal access for budget friendly and quality health care services.

What is meant by universal health coverage?
Universal health coverage is defined as making sure that all individuals have access to needed health services that are effective and of enough quality, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not produce financial hardship.

HOW TO OBSERVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY
Observe the UN’s yearly theme
Since 2017, the United Nations have actually revealed a theme for each Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12. For 2020, the style is ‘Health For All: Safeguard Everybody.’ The day will mark one year since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported. This suggests that international leaders must join for each country to have quality and budget friendly health care, and this is more crucial than ever. Ensure to share the style via your social media channels and remind your friends and family about why universal healthcare is necessary.

Join a project
There is a myriad of beneficial resources and tools you can utilize on Universal Health Coverage Day by means of the United Nations’ site. These online tools will assist campaigners plan and arrange virtual campaigns at a totally free or low cost. Take a look around in your neighborhood to see what health care campaigns are around, and think about signing up with one. Or, even better, make your own campaign to highlight the importance of quality and budget friendly health care in your society.

Share data via social media
Did you understand that rising deductibles in private strategies, consisting of company strategies, have left a projected 44 million Americans underinsured? On Universal Health Coverage Day, think about doing some research study into the healthcare system of your nation and explain the current barriers that are preventing universal health coverage. Share on social networks with appropriate hashtags to get the momentum going.

5 FASCINATING REALITIES ABOUT WORLDWIDE HEALTH
Health care is not provided worldwide
At least half the world’s population does not receive the essential health services they need.

It’s too pricey for many
Almost 12% of the world’s overall population– typically the poorest– are further impoverished by the cost of health care.

Phones over toilets
Lots of people have more access to a cellphone than a toilet.

Childbirth adds to many deaths
Over 800 females die due to issues during pregnancy and giving birth every day.

Malaria eliminates half of Zambian kids
Unfortunately, not enough is spent on malaria avoidance, with Americans investing more cash on Halloween than the world spends on malaria.

WHY UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY IS IMPORTANT
Individuals need health care
Did you know diarrhea eliminates 2,195 kids every day– more than AIDS, malaria, and measles integrated? This suggests that lots of people around the world do not have access to even the most basic of medicines and healthcare. Correct sanitation is a luxury for individuals who reside in extreme poverty. Universal Health Coverage Day is for everybody, to highlight the critical importance of quality and budget friendly healthcare around the globe.

Working towards universal healthcare techniques
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is possible and, every day, nations all over the world are making strides towards accomplishing it. But there’s still a long way to go. In Zambia, for instance, the doctor-patient-ratio is reported as one physician to every 12,000 clients. The WHO’s acceptable ratio stands at one medical professional for every single 5,000 clients. Universal Health Coverage Day highlights these issues worldwide that require to be dealt with more to accomplish the 2030 objective.

Health care can be culturally sensitive
Every day, health care NGOs and organizations band together to implement programs, which are effective and accepted in communities and cultures around the world. In one rural town of Kenya, community members began rejecting water purifying tablets that were distributed to assist combat the health threats linked to the usage of infected water.