Universal Health Coverage Day: Empowering health workers in Zimbabwe to advance universal health coverage during COVID-19

Did you know?

• At least ½ of the world’s population do not have full coverage of essential health services?
• About 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty (defined as living on 1.90 US$ or less a day) because they have to pay for health care in out of pocket expenses?
• Over 930 million people (around 12% of the world’s population) spend at least 10% of their household budgets to pay for health care?

The commitment made by all UN Member States to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, is that everyone, everywhere is able to access quality essential health services without suffering financial hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by vulnerable communities in accessing quality health care services and places the achievement of this global ambition at risk.

The EU is commemorating International UHC Day by highlighting its work in Zimbabwe as part of its longstanding support to WHO and the Universal Health Coverage Partnership (UHC-P), on which it has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and provided technical assistance to strengthen the delivery of essential health services at rural, district and provincial health facilities – both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voices & Views: Empowering health workers in Zimbabwe to advance universal health coverage during COVID-19

Additional links:

• The EU’s commitment to health for all and universal health coverage (UHC)
• The EU’s approach to achieving UHC by investing in health systems strengthening
• The EU’s support to WHO’s Universal Health Coverage Partnership (UHC-P)