People-Centered Health Systems for UHC: How to Put People First While Increasing Health Service Access

Journal Articles
, Universal Health Coverage

People-Centered Health Systems for UHC: How to Put People First While Increasing Health Service Access

By: Jonathan D. Quick, Chelsey Canavan, Jon Jay
Publication: Strengthening Health SystemsDOI: 10.7196/SHS.9.

Abstract

The vision of universal health coverage (UHC) is that everyone has access to the quality prevention and treatment services they need, without enduring financial hardship as a result of essential health expenditures. UHC programmes pursue this aim by mobilising all viable financial resources, with an emphasis on increasing public funding; by using these resources to strengthen health systems and ensure service quality; and by establishing financial protection mechanisms. This editorial presents examples from Brazil, Bolivia, Ghana, and other countries to show how UHC can be achieved.