U.N. News: World must invest in strong health systems that protect everyone — now and into the future
“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed just how important it is for all countries to have strong health systems that provide the entire population with quality services when and where they need them, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed. ‘For Universal Health Coverage Day, let us commit to ending this crisis and build a safer and healthier future by investing in health systems that protect us all — now.’ declared the U.N. chief … In his message on the Day, marked annually on 12 December, Mr. Guterres underscored that in 2020, the world had witnessed the tragedy that strikes when health facilities are overwhelmed by a new, highly infectious and often deadly disease…” (12/12).

Xinhua: WHO hails universal health coverage milestones in Africa amid pandemic
“Many African countries have demonstrated commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) amid disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Saturday during the Universal Health Coverage Day. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said that universal health coverage has gained policy and financing traction in the continent to help tackle a growing disease burden…” (12/12).