Director of Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems at the World Health Organization (WHO) Awad Mataria on Thursday said that Egypt has made significant strides and adopted effective measures in the field of universal health coverage, becoming a role model at the Arab, regional and international levels.
Mataria, in an interview with Nile News Channel, said “In tandem with WHO celebrations of Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC) under the theme “Health: It’s on the government”, all communities should have access to the necessary health services with good quality, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
The Universal Health Insurance Law, enacted by the Egyptian government at the end of 2019, was a fundamental step that led to a structural change in the state’s overall health system, Mataria said.
Despite several challenges related to financial protection, Egypt has achieved a milestone in the health sector and its application across governorates, said the WHO official.
UHC Day, which is celebrated on December 12th each year, is the annual rallying point for advocates to raise their voices and share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, call on leaders to make smarter investments in health and remind the world about the imperative of UHC.
It is an official United Nations-designated day that marks the anniversary of the unanimous endorsement of UHC in 2012 as an essential priority for international development.
This year’s theme, “Health: It’s on the government”, underscores the role governments play in ensuring that no one is forced to choose between health care and necessities such as food.
To mark UHC Day 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments worldwide to address the urgent need for financial protection to be put in place.
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