‘Health for all: protect everyone!! –UHC DAY 2020

On 12^thDecember, 2017 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution, making it an official UN-designated day. The purpose is to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and UHC.

UHC Day 2020 is themed ‘Health for all: protect everyone. To end this crisis and build a safer and healthier future, we must invest in health systems that protect us all – now’. That day will mark one year since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported.

To commemorate UHC Day 2020 in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health has assembled series of activities to illuminate the global campaign. A high-level policy dialogue will kickstart the campaign on 10^th December, at the Transcorp Hilton, in Abuja; focusing on the interactions of health systems and health security. It will feature lessons from Nigeria’s response to COVID-19, challenges from financing the response and health security in general. Issues around primary health care, health insurance, private sector interactions, and Under-5 mortality will also feature. It promises to be a thought provoking and vibrant dialogue, delivered in plenary and panel modes. A Ministerial Press Briefing on 11^thDecember, and the calories burning but exciting Commemorative Walk in the FCT on 12^thDecember. What will be different this time? Come expectant!!

Considering the current global challenge, this year’s campaign focuses on health security as an opportunity to prioritize investments in strong, equitable health systems that protect everyone, respond to emergencies and leave no one behind in future.