International Universal Health Coverage Day: December 12

Every year, the International Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated on December 12 by United Nations and by several other international organizations. It aims to increase awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems. This year, the International Universal Health coverage Day is celebrated under the following theme

Theme: Health for all: Protect Everyone. In order to end the crisis it is essential to build a safe and healthy future. To achieve this, investment in health systems is essential.

International Universal Health Coverage Day

The first International Universal Health Coverage Day was celebrated in 2017. It is important to celebrate International Universal Health Coverage Day as 12% of the world population spends at least 10% of their budget in health care. Till date more than 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty because of health care expenses.

Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations member countries have agreed to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes access to quality essential health-care services, financial risk protection, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Initiatives by India to achieve Universal Health Coverage

• The National Health Policy, 2017 aims to attain the highest possible level of health.
• Mission Indra Dhanush was launched in 2014. So far, the mission has reached more than 25 million children in more than 528 districts. Since 2014, India has launched Measles-Rubella vaccine, Rota virus vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and the JE Vaccine.
• The Pradhan Mantri Dialysis Programme was launched to provide free dialysis services under Free Drugs and Diagnostics Programme.
• The universal screening of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, common cancers and primary health centre have been initiated.
• LaQshya: It is Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative. It focuses on the fact that the quality of care in Labour rooms has to be improved on the day of birth and is central to the maternal and neonatal survival. It conducts quality certification of labour rooms and also incentivizes facilities achieving the targets outlined.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020