WUNRN
UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE – WOMEN & GIRLS
PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE ON HEALTH COVERAGE & HEALTH CARE
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World YWCA - http://www.worldywca.org/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-and-Member-Associations-News/First-ever-Universal-Health-Coverage-Day
FIRST EVER UNIVERSAL
HEALTH COVERAGE DAY – SPECIAL IMPORTANCE FOR WOMEN
12 December 2014 - Two years ago on December 12, the United Nations
unanimously endorsed a resolution urging governments to ensure universal access
to health care without financial hardship. This landmark commitment affirmed
the right of every person to have the opportunity for the highest standard of
health; the responsibility of governments to urgently scale up universal
access; and the promise of health for all to create a fairer, more resilient
society.
The World YWCA has joined some 160 global partners, including the World
Health Organisation (WHO), OXFAM, The World Bank Group and the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) to launch the first-ever Universal Health
Coverage Day, to take place on December 12, 2014.
Some of the key messages put forward:
·
no one
should go bankrupt when they get sick (1/3 of households in Africa and
Southeast Asia borrow money or sell assets to pay for health care)
·
universal
health coverage is attainable (70 + countries, including 30 of the world’s
poorest, have passed laws toward UHC)
·
universal
health coverage can help stop the world’s biggest killers (The poorest and most
marginalised populations bear the brunt of preventable maternal deaths and
diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases)
·
health
transforms communities, economies and nations (Every $1 invested in health can
produce $9-$20 in full-income growth by 2035)
·
health is
a right, not a privilege (the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
health is a fundamental human right).
On December 12, the coalition members, led by The Rockefeller
Foundation, will call for universal health coverage to be a cornerstone of the
sustainable development agenda and a priority for all nations. Through social
media and other tools, awareness and support will be built around this symbolic
day which concerns every one of us, and leaders will be held accountable.
As an organisation which relentlessy advocates for access to quality
health coverage and health care for all, and one with first-hand experience of
the constraints and difficulties faced by many of those in need of health care
worldwide, the World YWCA strongly supports this initiative. No one should be
deprived of access to health care for whatever reason. No one should fall into
poverty because they become ill and cannot afford the health care they urgently
need.
When it comes to health coverage and health care, women and girls are a
particularly vulnerable group:
·
When
chronic illnesses and HIV occur if there is little or no access to health
coverage, women become the key caretakers in their family
·
Women
carry the cost for the reproduction of our society. Maternal health care
should be accessible and free
·
Women have
less economic opportunities and jobs and therefore cannot benefit from
employment-based medical aid services.
·
During
national disasters, conflict and health emergencies, such as Ebola, the lack of
access to health care services increases the burden for women.
To create a more equitable society, the World YWCA recommends a strong
commitment to gender equal universal health coverage in national development
plans and in the Post 2015 sustainable development agenda.
http://www.universalhealthcoverageday.org/en/
WHY IS UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR ALL
– WOMEN, MEN, GIRLS, BOYS:
Health is a human right and a cornerstone of sustainable
development and global resilience. How health care is financed and delivered
must change – to be more equitable and more effective.
Because nobody should go bankrupt when they get sick.
One billion people lack basic health care, and 100
million fall into poverty every year trying to access it.
Because universal health coverage is attainable.
More than 70 countries of all income levels are taking
steps to ensure access to quality health care without financial hardship.
Because universal health coverage can help stop the
world’s biggest killers.
When everyone has access to basic health services we can
prevent and treat deadly diseases and save lives.
Because health transforms communities, economies and
nations.
A dollar spent on health today can yield benefits worth
20 times more over the next 20 years.
Because health is a right, not a privilege.
Access to quality health care should never depend on
where you live or how much money you have.