SA to celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day

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South Africa will on Tuesday, 12 December, join the global community in celecrating the progress made towards health for all.

According to the Department of Health, government will also observe the day by raising awareness of the necessity for resilient, equitable, and robust healthcare systems to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Department of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) South Africa and other health sector stakeholders, will host a seminar to reinvigorate pledges to accelerate UHC efforts in South Africa.

The 2023 UHC Day theme is ‘Health for All: Time to Act’.

“The theme emphasises the need for immediate and tangible steps to accelerate progress towards UHC, ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 deadline.”

The seminar will be attended by 300 delegates from different stakeholders in the health sector and the Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, is expected to deliver a keynote address.

The event comes after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) adopted the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill on 6 December 2023, a turning point for the country’s journey to achieve equal access to quality and affordable health care for all.

Phaahla will later in the day join the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, during a media briefing to release findings of the investigation reports emanating from complaints lodged against the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Motherwell NU 11 Clinic. – SAnews.gov.za