Beirut – 7 April 2019 – Today, on World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) call upon all individuals and communities to advocate for their right to health care.
The theme of this year’s World Health Day is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which encompasses the right for all people to access the quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship. With the slogan ‘Health for All’, this year’s World Health Day emphasizes the critical role of primary health care in achieving UHC.
Universal Health Coverage is a key component of sustainable development, poverty reduction, and addressing inequities in society. UHC aims to ensure access to quality people-centred health services for all, from promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Improved health system management, access to essential medicines and technologies, and sufficient and skilled health workforce are all pillars of UHC.
Last year, on the 40th anniversary of the landmark Declaration of Alma-Ata on “Health for All,” Lebanon signed the Declaration of Astana, reaffirming that primary health care is the most cost-effective and equitable way to deliver health services and help Lebanon reach UHC. WHO and MOPH are committed to ‘Health for All’ through the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and particularly Goal 3 on health and achieving Universal Health Coverage, which will be possible only through strengthening primary health care.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage is a main goal of Lebanon’s National Health Strategy. Lebanon was able to decrease out of pocket payments on health from 60% in 1998 to 32% in 2015. This is considered a major milestone towards UHC. A network of 220 primary health care centres is currently spread across Lebanon and is accessible to the whole population. Around 25,000 persons are benefiting from pre-paid packages of health care services that include basic minimum health services – maternal and child health, chronic diseases management, mental health, and others.
Dr Jamil Jabak, Minister of Health, reiterated the commitment of the Ministry of Public Health to achieving UHC for all persons residing in Lebanon. “We are working with all stakeholders and communities and devoted to providing everyone across Lebanon with the health services they need. Together we can achieve Health for All”, said Dr Jamil Jabak.
On World Health Day, WHO and the MOPH would like to call upon partners, civil society and individuals to come together and work to ensure the attainment of health by all people in Lebanon.
WHO is working alongside the Lebanese government and other stakeholders to strengthen health system governance and financing in order to achieve UHC. WHO supports the availability of essential medications and technologies to treat medical problems. WHO also develops guidelines of care and provides capacity building for health staff in order to improve the quality of services.
Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative in Lebanon echoed the importance of enhancing access to health services while reducing financial hardship. “Despite all challenges, the political will and commitment of Lebanon towards achieving Universal Health Coverage has been impressive. Primary health care will help us reach Health for All and build a more sustainable and resilient Lebanese health care system. WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Public health in its journey to reach Universal Health Coverage”, reaffirmed Dr Iman Shankiti.
World Health Day 2019 highlights equity and solidarity, advocating for health for everyone, everywhere, by addressing gaps in services and leaving no one behind.
Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, asserted “Immunization is the very first right to health for every child. Today, we call families, communities and authorities at all levels to ensure continued efforts for every child in Lebanon to have access to free, full and quality vaccination. UNICEF is strongly committed to continue supporting the most vulnerable children to improve their access to quality vaccination and other health services”.
Mr Philippe Lazzarini, UN Resident Coordinator for Lebanon: “Let us all join hands to make UHC a reality for Lebanon. This can only be achieved and sustained by collective multi-stakeholder efforts, towards Lebanon with Health for All”.
It’s time for Health for All. Happy World Health Day!