Achieving Universal Health Coverage and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases

WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL
Centre International de Bureaux FEIN : 13-2566243
Immeuble A “Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
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01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
76th
World Health Assembly Session
May 2023
Item 13.1 and 13.2 – Universal Health Coverage and Non-Communicable Diseases
Honorable chair, distinguished delegates,
I speak on behalf of the World Medical Association representing over 9 million physicians
worldwide.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires concrete operational steps, including
integrated service delivery for primary health care as well as optimum and safe working conditions,
as outlined by the WHO Global Health and Care worker compact.
The projected shortfall of 10.2 million health workers by 2030 and, in parallel an increasing number
of unemployed young physicians, make it crucial to act now with larger scale health budgets at all
levels to strengthen the health system infrastructure, provide more and better job opportunities and
ensure equitable access to quality health care services for all.
The national capacity to measure health data and health management systems must be reinforced so
that these action-oriented outcomes provide a solid roadmap for on-ground implementation of UHC
principles.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage requires as well solid multi-sectorial strategies on prevention
and treatment of NCDs, based on a holistic approach comprising socio-economic considerations, so
that risk factors – such as tobacco, alcohol, excess salt and sugar intake, physical inactivity and air
pollution – are effectively addressed.
Thank you