Universal Health Coverage Day 2021
Inequities undermine our efforts to protect, promote and improve health for all and, as a result, threaten social and economic development worldwide. As COVID-19 emphasized and exacerbated health inequities around the world, WHO continues to strengthen its call for greater political will and accelerated action from world leaders. We need to place health equity high on the global agenda as we support countries in working towards universal health coverage.
Universal Health Coverage Day is an opportunity to review progress and identify gaps in ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can access the health care they need, close to where they live and without falling into financial hardship. It is also a day to focus on what needs to happen next to achieve continuous, concrete progress towards a fairer and healthier world. WHO will release the latest data on universal health coverage, which underscore the impact of COVID-19 on health systems and services worldwide, and show how countries are working to tackle this.
Along with UHC2030, WHO joins people, communities and organizations across the world in asking governments, donors and leaders in all sectors to Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest in health systems for all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed long-ignored risks, including inadequate health
systems, gaps in social protection and structural inequalities. If we are to prevent future
pandemics and achieve health for all, we must prioritize equity—investing more in health and allocating resources efficiently and equitably.
Join the virtual rally, share your plans and download campaign materials here.
On World Health Day, 7 April 2021, WHO said ‘Hello, world!’ – welcoming people to come together to build a fairer and healthier world. WHO called on governments, international organizations and political leaders to work hand in hand with affected communities and individuals to address the root causes of inequities through:
1. Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments within and between countries.
2. Post-COVID-19 recovery budgets and plans that protect and prioritize health and social sectors.
3. Equitable services and infrastructure in all communities – both urban and rural.
4. Stronger primary health care for everyone, everywhere.
5. Better data collection and reporting so countries know where the health inequalities are so they can address them better. 
WHO and World Bank will co-host the joint technical launch of “Tracking Universal Coverage – 2021 Global Monitoring Report” and the “Global Monitoring Report on Financial Protection in Health 2021”
WATCH THE EVENT
Expo 2020 has dedicated a full day to celebrate key milestones in the journey towards universal health coverage, an essential priority for international development.
JOIN VIRTUALLY
Events
Add your UHC Day campaign to this heat map of events around the world
Publications
World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2020). Operational framework…
Intended for all stakeholders working towards universal health coverage (UHC) in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, this document accompanies…
These country infographic snapshots provide an overview of national data relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Realization of SRHR…
Videos
Related health topics
Primary health care
Self-care interventions for health
Universal Health Coverage
Urban health
Vaccines and immunization
Biologicals
Gender and health
Health workforce
Social determinants of health
Child health
Maternal health
Newborn health
Sexual health
Stories from the field
Kenya increases uptake and equity for COVID-19 vaccinations
Bangladesh: Community health workers at the heart of a stronger health system and the fight against COVID-19
Trinidad and Tobago: Empowering communities to prevent and self-manage noncommunicable diseases
Azerbaijan strengthens its health workforce to boost primary health care
Lao PDR strengthens capacity to deliver mental health care nationwide
The occupied Palestinian territory reforms its hospital sector to make progress towards universal health coverage
Uzbekistan strengthens its health system in the midst of COVID-19 crisis
Ensuring essential health services during COVID-19 in the State of Chhattisgarh, India
Mongolia’s mobile health clinics bring primary health care to vulnerable communities
Sudan’s community dialogues empower disadvantaged populations to decide on their health priorities
Caribbean countries boost the capacities of nurses in critical care during COVID-19
Zimbabwe: Data-driven decisions maintain availability and access to essential health services during the COVID-19 response
Burkina Faso and Thailand achieving UHC for Sexual and Reproductive Health
