21 September 2022
Excellencies, Dear Friends of Universal Health Care,
? Health, as we are so proud to say, is not a luxurybut a human right.
? Yet at least half of the people around the world are not able to get the health services they need.
? And even many who can access doctors and medicine, do so at a very high cost. About 100 million people are pushed into even deeper poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health.
? The COVID19 pandemic drew our attention to the appalling inequality between the poor and the rich, the developing and the developed world, in enjoying basic health services.
? We have known about this divide yet failed to understand the real magnitude of the problem. But, as Nobel laureate Hungarian scientist Albert Szent-Gy?rgyi had pointed out, the real task is ¡°to see what everybody else has seen and think what nobody else has thought¡±.
? From now on, we must think differently. For those in need, we must ensure access to the health services, whenever and wherever necessary and without financial hardship.
? Sufficient funds must be invested in our health system. Increasing government allocations are needed for financing the Primary Health Coverage, which should be more equitable and efficient.
? In this process, we must prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, including women and children.
? In 2023, we have to take stock of our achievements and make definite new commitments to accelerate progress in this field.
? My goal is to ensure synergy between the High-Level Meetings on health planned for 2023, and the forthcoming SDG Summit. A holistic view on health is essential for the success of the 2030 Agenda.
? I will also strive to align these discussions with the message of the landmark political declaration that was adopted by consensus in 2019. ?
? I plan to appoint co-facilitators for the political declaration on UHC in October so that we can start with the process right away.
? I call on member states to engage constructively in the process, and to show commitment through actions.
? I welcome the initiative by the Group of Friends of Universal Health Care to informally support the high-level meeting process as a platform for discussion.
? I was pleased to learn that, in cooperation with WHO, the Group will organize thematic discussions leading up to the HLM.
Dear Friends,
? Let¡¯s go ahead with our many tasks.
? Because Thomas Carlyle was right when he said: ¡°He who has health has hope, and he who has hope, has everything.¡±
Thank you.