Investing in Health Systems Strengthening for…

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the necessity of strong health systems for ensuring future global health and economic security. The impacts of the pandemic have been far-reaching, across all countries and sectors: global poverty has increased for the first time in a generation, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has reversed, and inequality within and between countries has grown – disproportionally burdening emerging economies and disadvantaged populations, where income losses caused by the pandemic revealed and worsened in preexisting economic fragilities. Universal health coverage (UHC) and health security are complementary goals for which accelerated action is urgently needed.  As we look to strengthen health systems in the wake of COVID-19, re-orientation of resources toward primary health care and essential public health functions will be critical for the achievement of UHC and the health-related SDGs.  Event organized by the Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of UHC and Global Health (Georgia, Japan, Thailand), WHO, UHC2030, IFRC, UN Foundation