The Road to Universal Health Coverage.
The goal of universal health coverage (UHC) has become even more urgent with COVID-19, which has increased inequities and financial hardship. UHC and health security are two intertwined goals to protect everyone, everywhere, that we achieve through the same health system - in crisis and calm.
UHC means that everyone, everywhere, should have access to the health services they need without risk of financial hardship. It is embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 3.8) and includes the full range of essential health services, spanning health promotion, prevention, and treatment.
The three dimensions of UHC are population coverage (who receives services, linked to equity), service coverage (what health services are available), and financial protection (ensuring health services do not lead to financial hardship). UHC is based on the principles of equity, non-discrimination & the right to health, ensuring that also the most marginalized populations are reached and covered, and no-one is left behind.