European Union

Statement

WHO

76^th World Health Assembly

(21-30 May 2023)

________

Item 13.1 – Universal Health Coverage

________

Geneva, 22 May 2023

Chair,

Director General,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its 27 Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1], the potential candidate country Georgia, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

We look forward to participate actively in the negotiations on a concise, action-oriented political declaration to be adopted at the UNGA High Level Meeting on UHC this year, building on the 2019 declaration. We call on Members States to ensure that their agenda setting in Geneva and in New York promotes coherence and synergies between the General Assembly health-related HLMs and the priorities for the work of WHO decided in Geneva as well as with ongoing work of the WHO, including processes such as the negotiations for a Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the IHR.

Strong, equitable, accessible, climate resilient and sustainably financed health systems are the backbone of quality primary health services, UHC and global health security. Health system strengthening should address financing, leadership/governance, human resources, infrastructures, information and communication systems, access to quality commodities and services, health monitoring and service provision as well as participation of communities — in a systematic and dynamic approach at all levels of services.

No country can provide UHC without essential public health functions to protect and promote the health of its population using a rights-based, equitable and gender responsive approach.

Primary health services must be considered an essential part of information and service provision in integrated health systems.

Primary health care and universal access to integrated quality services should be person-centered, gender responsive and rights-based, comprehensive and integrate all services that can be provided at the primary level, including preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services for all individuals and communities, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights in accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action and the Programme

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.