April 8: People from all walks of life were invited to reflect, draw, and sign on the theme of ‘primary health care’ at Kathmandu Durbar Square on the occasion of the World Health Day on April 7. Stakeholders expect the public to become more aware about the concepts of primary health care (PHC) and universal health coverage (UHC) through the interactive art programme.

According to the World Health Organisation, universal health coverage means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

Issuing a statement, WHO said universal health coverage includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

“It does not only mean free health coverage, but rather enabling everyone to access the services that address the most significant causes of disease and death and ensures that the quality of those services is good enough to improve the health of the people who receive them,” the statement added.

According to WHO, a key to attain this goal is through strengthening primary health care.

PHC with basic health services can cover majority of a person’s health needs throughout their lives, according to WHO. It addresses the broader determinants of health and focuses on comprehensive and interrelated aspects of physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing. A fit-for-purpose workforce is essential to deliver PHC, and the world has an estimated shortfall of 18 million health workers.

Globally, at least half of the world’s population still do not have full coverage of essential health services, while about 100 million people are still being pushed into extreme poverty (defined as living on 1.90 USD or less a day) because they must pay for health care.

WHO said all United Nations member states have agreed to try to achieve UHC by 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.