What is universal health coverage ?

Further it will reduce the risk of people being pushed into poverty because unexpected illnesses requiring them to use up their life savings, sell assets, or borrow, destroying their futures and often those of their children. UHC can produce high returns, particularly when targeting those most often left behind, women, children, adolescents and older people in the poorest communities. Health has intrinsic value for individuals and their families, and also contributes significantly to social and economic development. An active health sector can promote a broader economic growth in a country. Available evidence suggests that each dollar (US$) spent in the health sector can be contributed as much as US$ 1.77 to an economic output. Even though health systems are much less developed in low and middle income countries than in richer countries, such health system improvements can bring about a much greater impact. It has been estimated that out-of-pocket health spending drives more than 100 million people into poverty every year. When people have to pay for health services out of their own pockets, the poor are often unable to obtain many of the services they need. Even the rich may be exposed to financial hardships in the event of severe or long-term illness, possibly spreading transmissible disease. Such as treating multi drug resistant TB, seriously affects health services both in access to health care as well as high cost. Out-of-pocket health spending will reduce purchasing of food and other essential requirements to the family.

As emphasized in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1.UHC is central to achieving better health and well-being for all people at all ages.UHC is the goal that all people obtain a health services they need, without risking financial hardships from unaffordable out-ofpocket payment.
Further it will reduce the risk of people being pushed into poverty because unexpected illnesses requiring them to use up their life savings, sell assets, or borrow, destroying their futures and often those of their children.UHC can produce high returns, particularly when targeting those most often left behind, women, children, adolescents and older people in the poorest communities.Health has intrinsic value for individuals and their families, and also contributes significantly to social and economic development.
An active health sector can promote a broader economic growth in a country.Available evidence suggests that each dollar (US$) spent in the health sector can be contributed as much as US$ 1.77 to an economic output.Even though health systems are much less developed in low and middle income countries than in richer countries, such health system improvements can bring about a much greater impact.It has been estimated that out-of-pocket health spending drives more than 100 million people into poverty every year.When people have to pay for health services out of their own pockets, the poor are often unable to obtain many of the services they need.Even the rich may be exposed to financial hardships in the event of severe or long-term illness, possibly spreading transmissible disease.Such as treating multi drug resistant TB, seriously affects health services both in access to health care as well as high cost.Out-of-pocket health spending will reduce purchasing of food and other essential requirements to the family.

Universal health coverage is within reach -it is technically and financially possible
Many countries are already making progress towards UHC.All countries can take actions to move more rapidly towards it, or to maintain the gains they have already made.A range of evidence-based, cost-effective interventions and health system strategies to provide financial protection can support countries in their paths towards UHC.Higher spending does not always improve health, but making the right investments at the right time can.Best buys for the health sector are, the interventions that are effective (high impact), low cost (affordable), cost-effective (deliver good value for money) and easy to implement (feasible).All countries could afford government funded universal access to a range of public health services delivered through cross-sectoral commu-nity services and periodic outreach delivery platforms.These include the public health taxes on goods that are harmful to health, such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar, and delivering vaccines and medicines for neglected tropical diseases and public awareness through mass media.Not every country can achieve a "full UHC package" at the same speed.But every country can attempt to achieve this over the next 15 years, by looking at their resources.Each country should use the available evidence and tools to define the package of benefits, and determine its own path towards UHC, by effective use of available resources.

UHC is people-centered and politically smart
Moving towards UHC requires strengthening of health systems in all countries.Reforms in financing structures are the key to success by mobilization of a broad range of stakeholders, first and foremost citizens, civil society organizations, service providers, the private sector as well as political leaders.The people themselves should also be at the centre of decision making.Political leaders have a central role in constructing a health system that ensures the needs, opinions and rights of the people they represent.
UHC is a social contract; that provides equal access to justice based on respect for human rights, effective rule of law, good governance, and transparent, effective and accountable institutions.If the UHC is to be attained a good quality health services it must be accessible, financially affordable and should be acceptable to the patients.In each country, UHC reforms must have people at its centre, which reflects the health needs and aspirations of the whole population.It is a tool which countries can use on the road to achieving the highest possible standards of health and wellbeing for all of their people.Monitoring the progress towards UHC should focus both on the proportion of a population that can access essential quality health services and the proportion of the population that spends a large amount of household income on health.UHC can be universal only if it applies equally to all people, making equity as essential criteria.The SDG principle of "No One Left Behind" should guide countries to put their people first, when designing their UHC systems; people who are marginalized and underserved, faces discrimination.To achieve the above goal, we also require approaches and investments that are based on human rights, equity and gender equality.UHC enables citizens to enjoy their full health potential at every age by using health services that are appropriate to them.Each country should begin with the question: "What is our vision for the health of our people?"Answering this will require extensive consultation with relevant authorities considering all relevant health data, including marginalized and hard -to-reach groups.Whichever the road chosen, countries should always aim to increase the equitable delivery of health services.