Strong Primary Health Care as the Foundation for UHC

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) requires increasing coverage of evidence-based, quality, affordable, and culturally acceptable health services, especially at the primary health care level, through interventions that respond to the specific needs of different populations, with special attention paid to marginalized groups.  

While some progress has been made on UHC implementation, the world is not on track to achieve set targets to cover 1 billion people by 2030 and reduce out of pocket health expenditure. The situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vulnerable communities continue to face major obstacles to accessing care. We work to raise and advocate for the voices of civil society and communities to ensure that UHC policies are inclusive and equitable, and that systematic attention is given to the most marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Our approach: 

• We promote UHC by working with health leaders to implement national policies that improve how countries organize and pay for health services.  
• We work with local leaders to help them better collect and analyze data to understand the intended and unintended effects of interventions, see emerging needs, and direct resources accordingly.  
• We promote systems thinking and locally led solutions to effectively and equitably deliver high-quality, people-centered primary health care for all.