Universal health coverage necessitates a system approach: an analysis of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative in Ghana

The 9th Global conference on health promotion (Shanghai 2016) reaffirmed the role of primary health care (PHC) in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Gaining much international recognition, the community-based health planning and services (CHPS) initiative is considered one of the pragmatic strategy in delivering on the promise of universal health coverage (UHC) through the PHC strategy, in Ghana. Yet, certain key factors threaten its successes – renewing the relevance of this study to present the barriers to and facilitators of the initiative. According to their findings, CHPS contribution particularly in bridging geographical access to health cannot be demeaned. Nevertheless, the full functioning of the initiative is limited by factors centered on the following themes: health governance and leadership, provision of services of quality, financial risk protection strategies targeting public health, information and care continuity, and the right mix of trained health professionals of even distribution across communities. Addressing the challenges ...

Developing more participatory and accountable institutions for health: identifying health system research priorities for the Sustainable Development Goal-era

Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is vital to guiding global institutions, funders, policymakers, activists and implementers in developing and enacting strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  The findings from this exercise identify HPSR funding priorities and future areas for evidence production and policy engagement.

Public health law coverage in support of the health-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) among 33 Western Pacific countries

A resilient health system is inevitable in attaining the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One way of strengthening health systems is improving the coverage of public health laws for better health governance. The aim of this study is to describe the public health law situation in the Western Pacific Region and analyse the association of public health law coverage with health-related SDGs statistics.

UN High-Level Meeting on universal health coverage

On 23 September 2019, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting on universal health coverage (UHC). This meeting, held under the theme Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World, aims to accelerate progress towards UHC, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

The meeting will result in a political declaration on universal health coverage endorsed by Heads of State. Among other key attributes, the declaration recognizes the need for health systems to be integrated and people-centred, with primary health care being the cornerstone of a sustainable health system for UHC and health-related SDGs.

Approval of political resolution on Universal Health Coverage in UN High-Level meeting

World leaders came together for the United Nations High Level Meeting (HLM) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Moving Together to Build a Healthier World, held at the UN General Assembly in New York, on Monday, 23 September 2019. This was the first time the UN had called for a HLM devoted to UHC and the encounter provided an unprecedented opportunity to mobilize the global community and secure political commitment from Heads of State and Government to accelerate progress toward achieving UHC by 2030. As a result UN Member States have adopted the most comprehensive set of health commitments ever adopted at this level, the political declaration on UHC. Among other key attributes, the declaration recognizes the need for health systems to be integrated and people-centred, with primary health care being the cornerstone of a sustainable health system for UHC and health-related SDGs.

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Access the political declaration here.

Seventy-third World Health Assembly (WHA73)

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.

This year, the 73rd World Health Assembly is held virtually in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A reduced (de minimis) meeting was held on 18-19 May 2020.

The resumed WHA73 will take place from 9-14 November 2020.

You will be able follow proceedings on WHO webcast.

All documents can be found on the main documents page for the WHA73.

WONCA Europe Conference: Innovating Family Medicine Together for a Sustainable Future

WONCA Europe 2022 Conference takes place from 28 June to 1 July 2022 and will be held conjointly with RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners) 2022 Annual Conference as one event.

Registration, programme and further information

Framework for countries to achieve an integrated continuum of long-term care

The framework for countries to achieve an integrated continuum of long-term care identifies key aspects necessary to achieve an integrated continuum of long-term care service provision and to facilitate the integration of long-term services within existing health and social care systems.

The framework will guide countries in assessing system-level components to implement sustainable and equitable long-term care actions. By applying this framework, countries can begin to develop and shape their long-term care systems as part of their universal health coverage programmes and promote investment in long-term care and the health workforce, including carers.

Download framework