UHC Champions

This page features the individuals, groups and countries working tirelessly to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can access the health services they need without financial hardship.

Scroll down to learn about the impactful initiatives and strategies that are driving change year-round.

 

The letter writers

Below are just a few of the many advocates urging their decision makers to make financial protection for health a national priority. Hover over the pictures to learn more. We will continue to update this section over the coming weeks, so it's not too late to send an advocacy letter to join the movement and feature yourself or your organization below!

HelpAge

HelpAge International is a global non-profit organisation promoting the wellbeing, dignity and voice of older people. For UHC Day, they have drafted an open letter calling for governments and health actors at all levels to scale up investment in UHC and to champion age- and disability-inclusive and gender-responsive health and care systems that deliver equitable, integrated and person-centred services. 

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WACI Health

WACI Health champions health for all and the end of life-threatening epidemics in Africa. The organization wrote to HE Cyril Ramaphosa (Minister of Health, South Africa) in December 2024 urging them to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures, strengthen public health insurance, and support global health initiatives like the Global Fund.

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Amal Ouachhou

Amal is a medical student dedicated to creating positive change in her community. She wrote to Mr. Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection of Morocco, in December 2024, urging them to reduce or eliminate direct payments for health services and products and remove financial barriers to accessing essential health services. 

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Ngobeu Mimbe Herve Cedric

Ngobeu Mimbe Herve Cedric is the Executive Director of YES HEALTH, a CSO  advocating, supporting and connecting youth and women in sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental and digital health, and their meaningful participation in the decisions made about their life. He wrote to Dr. Malachie Manaouda (Minister of Public Health, Republic of Cameroon) in October 2024 urging them to introduce policies and programs that reduce financial barriers to essential health services, prioritizing the most vulnerable.

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We Give All

We Give All raises awareness and promotes hepatitis B prevention through a comprehensive approach addressing clinical, psychological, and social factors. The team wrote to Dr. Charles Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health, in November 2024, urging him to support UHC initiatives in Moyamba by adopting and renovating maternity wards, establishing a crèche for staff and students at Moyamba Government Hospital, and revamping and staffing the dentistry clinic.

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Dr. Muhammad Idris Gani

Dr. Muhammad Idris Gani is a healthcare financing expert and public health advocate, with a strong commitment to advancing equitable health policies. wrote to Hon. Muhammad Ali Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Chairman, Senate Committee on Health), Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji (Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions), and Hon. Dennis Idahosa (Chairman, House Committee on Health) in October 2024, urging them to prioritize UHC in Nigeria as both a moral imperative and a critical investment in the nation’s future.

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Nombasa Gxuluwe

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Nombasa Gxuluwe serves as WACI Health’s Program Manager. She is a Health and Human Rights activist and has been active in the field since 2003. Nombasa coordinated the efforts of GFAN Africa organizations to send the letter in a unified manner. She also wrote to the Minister of health in South Africa urging the South African government to take immediate action to address health-related poverty by reducing financial barriers to healthcare.

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Emmanuel Mawa

Emmanuel Mawa is a public health enthusiast passionate about health and the environment with focus on equitable and inclusive policies for all. He wrote to Hon. Matia Kasaija (Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development and Planning) and Hon. Ruth Jane Acheng Acero, (Minister of health) in September 2024 urging them to prioritize policies that relieve out-of-pocket payments in a timely manner, emphasizing that financial protection enables marginalized communities to allocate their limited resources to other essential needs, such as food and shelter, without compromising their health.

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YES HEALTH

YES HEALTH advocates, supports and connects adolescents, youth and women with sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental/digital health and their meaningful participation in the decisions made about their life. The team wrote to Dr. Malachie Manaouda (Minister of Public Health, Republic of Cameroon) in October 2024 urging them to introduce policies and programs that reduce financial barriers to essential health services, prioritizing the most vulnerable. 

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Fabien Nkili Ndemezoho

Fabien has been the Program Officer at the Gabonese NGO Mouvement Populaire pour la Santé au Gabon (MPS GABON). He wrote to the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Gabon) in October 2024 urging for the implementation of the 2024 WHA resolution on social participation for universal health coverage by involving citizens in policymaking and public fund management, strengthening public health insurance to cover the entire population, and ensuring affordable access to essential healthcare services and quality medicines.

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Camilla Williamson

Camilla Williamson is a specialist working in policy, advocacy, research and programmes with and for older people. As Global healthy ageing adviser for HelpAge International, she has contributed tirelessly to the open letter campaign for UHC Day 2024. 

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Alliance for Public Health

Alliance for Public Health is a leading NGO making a significant impact on the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), viral hepatitis and other socially dangerous diseases in Ukraine. The Alliance wrote to Viktor Kyrylovych Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, in December 2024 to urge them to address critical issues such as ensuring access to free TB diagnostic and treatment services for individuals without identity documents, increasing funding for the healthcare sector, and strengthening its infrastructure to achieve UHC goals, even amidst the challenges posed by the war.

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Diego Bustos Castillo

Diego is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Valparaíso, Chile, and a dedicated advocate for global health and youth leadership. Through the network of IFMSA National Member Organizations, he coordinated the sending of advocacy letters across 23 countries in South America and beyond, focusing on the global leadership crisis. 

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IFMSA

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is a global network of 1.5 million medical students from more than 120 countries, advocating for equitable, accessible healthcare through UHC. IFMSA actively coordinated the engagement of youth medical students, including the distribution of the UHC Day advocacy letter to urge governments to prioritize equitable and inclusive healthcare, reduce financial barriers, and invest in primary healthcare and digital innovation.

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The Youth Platform

The Youth Platform (TYP) is a regional network whose aim is to amplify young people’s movements, influence governance, and promote their contribution and leadership in the economic, social, and political development of the region. They wrote to Honourable Dr. Elijah Muchima, MP, Minister of Health, to the Director General of the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), and to seven MPs of Zambia in December 2024, urging them to increase funding for youth-friendly health services, implement policies that promote health education and awareness, and ensure meaningful youth participation in healthcare decision-making processes.

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Godfrey Philimon

Godfrey Philimon is a dedicated public health advocate with over a decade of experience promoting primary health care and UHC in Tanzania. As Coordinator for the People’s Health Movement in Tanzania (PHM Tanzania), he wrote to Dr. John Jingu, Permanent Secretary at Tanzania's Ministry of Health, and Honorable Jenister Muhagama, Minister of Health of Tanzania, as well as Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development of Uganda, and Dr. Ruth Jane Acheng Acero, Minister of Health of Uganda in October 2024 urging them to introduce laws, budgets, policies and programs to address the financial and systemic barriers to accessing mental health care. 

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Action for Global Health

Action for Global Health (AfGH) is an influential membership network convening more than 50 organisations working in global health. They provide access to key decision-makers, joint advocacy and campaigning opportunities and the chance to participate in an active global health community to drive progress towards SDG 3. In this capacity, they actively mobilized their network in to send the UHC advocacy letter. 

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Health Access Initiative

Health Access Initiative (HAI) is an organization of young volunteers committed to promoting sustainable community health in Benin. It fosters favorable political action conditions for the benefit of vulnerable populations. The organization wrote to the Minister of Health of Benin in December 2024 urging them to address the high costs of healthcare, which prevent people from accessing essential services and purchasing necessary medications. 

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Age Nigeria Foundation

Age Nigeria Foundation is a non-profit organization with the basic aim of raising resources for older people and providing relief for them through various interventions. The organization wrote six letters to the Ministry of health, Nigeria in December 2024 urging them to prioritize the financial protection needs of people in vulnerable and marginalized situations and minimize or remove user charges for people with low income or chronic conditions, including older people and vulnerable youths.

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RIHRDO

Rural Infrastructure and Human Resource Development Organization (RIHRDO) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2004 with the aim of community development across Pakistan in general, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) regions in particular. RIHRDO wrote to Nurjahan Begum Advisor, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in December 2024 urging them to implement the World Health Assembly resolution on social participation for UHC.

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Association Global Humaniste

Association Global Humaniste works towards the socio-economic and cultural development of populations without distinction, through sustainable, more inclusive, and participatory human development. The organization wrote to the Togo prime minister, the national minister of health and hygiene, and the minister in charge of healthcare access in December 2024 urging them to prioritize the financial protection needs of vulnerable and marginalized individuals by minimizing or eliminating costs for low-income people and people with chronic illnesses.

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Notable quotes

On 12 December, UHC advocates raised their voices loud and clear for the need for financial protection for health. Here are a few of the quote cards that helped us make some noise on social media!

Country headlines

Progress on UHC is possible! Below are links to a few inspiring stories about country-level progress on financial protection for health.

Egypt to expand Universal Health Insurance to five more governorates

The Ministry of Health and Population announced earlier this week that Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system will be implemented in a second set of governorates. The UHI system aims to provide universal and affordable healthcare to everyone, including anyone who does not have health insurance under the current system. It covers all medical services for beneficiaries, starting from initial medical examinations, x-rays, and medical analyses and including major surgical interventions. It is financed by premiums, with those not being able to afford them being covered by the state. Read the article. 


Angola invests in strengthening partnerships to guarantee quality healthcare for all

According to Angola's Minister of Health, Dr Sílvia Lutucuta, the Angolan Executive is making a massive investment in infrastructure in the National Health Service, increasing the resolutive capacity at the three levels of care to respond to the population's health needs, from primary care to more specialised and complex interventions. "Despite the gains made, we still need to make more progress to increase access to healthcare for everyone and everywhere and achieve the national commitment to our people, Universal Health Coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Because we know that health is one of the most powerful factors of social justice and cohesion, but also wealth creation for the desired sustainable development of our country and the well-being of our population". Read the article.


In Nigeria, health insurance coverage rose by 40% in one year

The National Health Insurance Authority said health insurance coverage rose by 40 per cent within the year, growing from 16.7 million to 19.2 million enrollees in Nigeria. The agency said the achievement surpassed the presidential target for health insurance coverage in 2024. Speaking during the end-of-year briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, noted that the agency plans an additional 20 per cent increase for 2025 while outlining the agency’s successes and roadmap to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Read the article.


Canada’s 10-Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights: Measuring the progress

The government of Canada commits to showing you progress throughout the 10-Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights (10YC). We have increased our global health investments, particularly in SRHR. This reflects the government’s continued dedication to improving health outcomes and addressing critical gaps in the global health landscape. Under the 10YC in 2022-2023, we spent a total of $1.42 billion in global health. This meets the $1.4 billion 10YC target one year early. Read the article.


In Pakistan, UHC service coverage index at the national level improved to 53.9 from a baseline of 40 in 2015 

On the occasion of Universal Health Coverage Day, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (M/o NHSR&C) announced the latest UHC Service Coverage Index estimation results at national, provincial and district levels with the technical support provided by the UKs Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Evidence for Health (E4H) Programme. The UHC Service Coverage Index (SCI) has improved at the National level from a score of 40 in 2015 to 53.9 in 2023. While this is a commendable 35.8% increase since 2015, the annual rise of just 2.2% since 2022 highlights the need for accelerated efforts. Read the press release. 


Quality, affordable health services for 1.5 billion people: A vision for a healthier, more resilient world.

The scale of the global health challenge is staggering. Global megatrends -such as decreasing investments in health systems, climate change, and aging populations- are making it harder to access quality, affordable health care. Over half of the world's population lack access to essential health services, and nearly 2 billion people face financial hardship due to the high costs of health care. Without access to essential health services, millions remain trapped in cycles of poverty. This lack of opportunity stifles human potential and economic growth. Good health means improved quality of life, increased access to education and employment, and greater resilience in the face of future crises. Read the article.


On the Universal Health Coverage Day, Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the advancement of the global momentum towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC)  

 This year’s theme, “Health: It’s on the government,” underscores the pivotal role of governments in ensuring that no one has to choose between essential healthcare and basic necessities such as food, shelter, or education. As a government, we recognize our duty as a moral imperative to make healthcare accessible to all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status. Any compromise on health is a compromise on the security, prosperity, and development of our nation—an area where no risks can be taken. Read the press release.


Universal Health Coverage Day 2024: WHO urges governments to prioritize financial protection for health

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is celebrated annually on 12 December. 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. Read the article.


Zimbabwe commits to boost domestic health financing

Zimbabwe has taken a significant step towards strengthening its health system by committing to increase domestic financing through a health levy, a sugar tax, establishment of National Health Insurance and other initiatives. This commitment was made during a three-day national dialogue on health financing, aimed at exploring sustainable strategies to improve the country’s health sector which brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international experts, to discuss innovative approaches to bolstering financing to the country’s health system. Read the article. 


Kyrgyzstan controls essential medicine prices in pursuit of health for all

In response to evidence on the financial hardship caused by out-of-pocket payments for medicines, Kyrgyzstan has introduced price control regulations for a range of essential medicines, including for noncommunicable diseases, which has lowered and stabilized prices. Lower and more stable prices will help to reduce out-of-pocket payments, making medicines more affordable for people with chronic conditions, improving adherence to medicines and moving Kyrgyzstan towards UHC. Read the article.


Public health experts make case for universal health coverage in Nigeria

Efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria face significant challenges, including systemic hurdles, slow progress, and low public awareness of financial mechanisms aimed at reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. These issues were brought to the fore during a one-day hybrid orientation for media professionals in Abuja, organized by Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria and the Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS), both funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The event aimed to raise awareness about UHC and the critical role of government agencies, particularly the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in promoting equitable healthcare access. Read the article.


India raises free health cover for citizens aged above 70 years 

Efforts India expanded a government programme late Wednesday to provide citizens aged 70 and above with annual medical insurance coverage of 500,000 rupees ($6,000) per family, fulfilling a key poll promise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new plan is expected to benefit an additional 60 million people, adding to Modi’s 2018 healthcare initiative which already covers more than half a billion citizens, according to a government statement. Read the article.


In Thailand, rollout of universal health coverage to continue

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced on Sunday that the government’s Universal Health Coverage “30 Baht for Healthcare Anywhere” initiative will continue to expand. The pilot project, which began in 4 provinces on January 7, has now been implemented in 46 provinces, including Bangkok. The goal is to cover the remaining 31 provinces by the end of 2024. On December 25, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will preside over the launch of the nationwide expansion of the scheme, which aims to ensure access to healthcare for all Thai citizens. Read the article. 


Strengthening the availability of evidence and fostering dialogue to stimulate investment in Kenya's health workforce

The Government of Kenya is using data and analysis to improve the availability of health workers and meet specific demands across the country. This has significantly enhanced the quality of patient care at health facilities, with more people seeking treatment. Read the article.


Tajikistan paves the way for universal health coverage with strong primary health care

Tajikistan’s long-term investment in primary health care (PHC) has significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality rates and the prevalence of various diseases, showcasing a successful journey towards universal health coverage (UHC). As Tajikistan continues to navigate healthcare reform, the emphasis on primary health care remains at the core of its pursuit for a healthier future for its population. Read the article.

UHC in the news

UHC was in the news on and around 12 December! Below is a list of a few notable articles about UHC and financial protection for health.