Global Health Events and Advocacy Moments for UHC
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Getting UHC on the ballot: How to influence elections in your country to keep health high on political agendas
March 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm UTC+0
Thank you for your active participation during our online session “Getting UHC on the ballot! How to influence elections in your country to keep health high on political agendas” held on March 14, 2024. You can find below more information and the link to the recording.
WATCH THE RECORDING
Context
Universal health coverage (UHC) aims to ensure that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. However, progress on UHC is off track. According to the 2023 Global Monitoring report published by the World Health Organization and the World Bank biannually, progress towards UHC has stagnated, even reversed in some countries with a staggering 4.5 billion people still lacking access to essential health services and an estimated 2 billion facing financial hardship to access health services.
With elections taking place in over 70 countries in 2024, this is a pivotal moment to ensure future leaders keep health high on their political agendas and understand the importance of taking urgent and meaningful action towards health for all. Focusing on presidential and legislative elections is crucial for UHC advocacy, as these levels of governance collectively shape the policy landscape and legislative frameworks essential for the adoption and implementation of UHC reforms.
The Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) and UHC2030 have developed the Election advocacy guide: Getting UHC on the ballot, which provides clear guidance for UHC advocates wishing to influence the elections taking place in their countries.
Based on the understanding that governments have a responsibility to realize people’s right to health, this election advocacy guide was developed to build capacity, mobilize and inspire civil society advocates to take action to ensure health is front and center of the elections in their countries. The outcome of elections can determine whether a government prioritizes and invests in building a robust health system that protects the right to health.
This online session provided an opportunity to explore the newly released election advocacy guide and foster peer learning. Participants were introduced to a suite of advocacy tools and key steps to maximize engagement during the election period. They could also learn about successful stories of election advocacy, lessons learned, and best practices.
Objectives
- Highlight the importance of engaging political campaign candidates to influence their agendas and/or party manifestos to ensure health is prioritized.
- Introduce the election advocacy guide, which provides information and tools to advocate for UHC during elections and hold policy-makers accountable for their commitments.
- Strengthen and sustaining political momentum for the implementation of the 2023 Political Declaration on UHC.
- Strengthen citizen engagement to drive progress on UHC at the country level.
WATCH THE RECORDING
Resources
The Election Advocacy Guide: https://www.uhc2030.org/what-we-do/voices/election-advocacy-guide/
The UHC Data portal: https://www.uhc2030.org/what-we-do/knowledge-and-networks/uhc-data-portal/
The 2023 Global Monitoring Report: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240080379
Resources to advocate toward the adoption of a WHA Resolution: https://www.spheretogether.org/news/advancing-social-participation-for-universal-health-coverage-building-support-for-a-resolution-at-the-77th-world-health-assembly-wha/
