Implementing pro-poor universal health coverage

 11-Dec-15, The Lancet 

Universal health coverage (UHC)—the availability of quality, affordable health services for all when needed without financial impoverishment—can be a vehicle for improving equity, health outcomes, and financial wellbeing. It can also contribute to economic development.

In its Global Health 2035 report, the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health (CIH) endorsed pro-poor pathways to UHC that provide access to services and financial protection to poor people from the beginning and that include people with low income in the design and development of UHC health financing and service provision mechanisms.

Image: Medicus Mundi Suisse

Countries worldwide are embarking on health system reforms that move them closer to UHC, in many cases with a clear pro-poor focus. Along the way, there is a wealth of guidance on the technical aspects of UHC, such as designing health service packages and developing health financing systems. However, there is very little practical guidance on how to implement these policies.

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