Statement by Dr Stefan Seebacher, MD, MPH, MNM, Head, Health Department, on behalf of the IFRC, at the 65th World Health Assembly, Plenary session, agenda item 3: “General discussion”, in Geneva
Madame Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
We in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are honoured to contribute to this 65th World Health Assembly and pleased to present our views on Universal Coverage
Ladies and gentlemen, achieving universal coverage is an ethical, social and economic imperative.
Universal coverage is an ethical imperative because living in an unhealthy environment and with poor access to appropriate health care are both avoidable and unfair. If health is a human right, then achieving universal coverage is a global imperative.
Universal coverage is a social imperative because greater health inequities within and between countries, in times of economic turbulence, are straining the social fabric of nations and threatening world peace.
Universal coverage is an economic imperative because the double burden of infectious and non communicable diseases is dangerously overloading health systems in all countries, including where water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases remain the primary cause of under five morbidity and mortality. This is why universal coverage includes universal access to clean water, appropriate sanitation, proper nutrition and healthy environments.
Economies need healthy populations, and to be healthy populations require universal access to health.
Ladies and gentlemen, not only is universal coverage an imperative, it is also achievable.
We all know that high coverage of vaccination campaigns and social mobilisation around prevention of infectious and non communicable diseases are possible, cost-effective and sound investments.
We all know healthy lifestyles and effective health-seeking behaviour require free and unhindered access to health information, including information on reproduction. We all know that healthy lives do not require doctors or nurses at every doorstep, but can and must be wholly owned by community health workers, volunteers, teachers... and, indeed, everyone.
We all know universal connectivity, telemedicine, e-health and m-health will lower the costs of disease prevention, screening and treatment, allow economies of scale and expansion of coverage to isolated individuals and communities at lower cost. These innovations are vital as the number of people living with chronic conditions increases at alarming rates.
We all know user fees in emergencies and protracted crises, as in Haiti, and in settings where they are barriers to access to health care, are counterproductive and can - and should be - abolished.
And we should see in the current debt crisis an immediate opportunity for Governments to re-allocate public spending towards the needs of the most vulnerable populations, and to leverage civil society and private sector resources to achieve universal coverage.
Ladies and gentlemen, the IFRC is committed to universal coverage.
In a resolution adopted in December 2011, The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent "calls on States and National Societies, in accordance with the special status of National Societies as auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field, to work together to commit to reducing health inequities, beginning with removing obstacles to reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health through a needs-based approach informed by human rights with a particular emphasis on the rights of the child..."
and "strongly encourages States and calls upon National Societies to work together and commit to action in the following three key areas, articulated to guide a needs-based and strategic approach to health inequities: 1) provision of health-care services, 2) promotion of knowledge and 3) commitment to gender equality, non-discrimination."
That, ladies and gentlemen, is nothing less than a commitment to universal coverage.
Our network of 187 National Societies, auxiliaries to their Governments, and our 13 million volunteers from and within communities are mobilized across the world to provide locally acceptable health information and education. They are linking vulnerable communities to the formal health system, expanding health coverage, vaccination coverage, access to clean water and adequate sanitation. Our programmes target the most vulnerable people and communities, those that otherwise would not be covered by the health system.
Madame Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies calls on its partners to promote, with the World Health Organisation, universal health coverage and on National Governments to implement a sustainable and equitable universal health system.
Thank you.