Global Health: EU invests €125 million in universal health coverage in partnership with WHO

ByEuropean Commission

Global Health: EU invests €125 million in universal health coverage in partnership with WHO

The EU will invest an additional €125 million to strengthen health systems, in particular, to help extend universal health coverage, through a partnership program with the World Health Organisation (WHO), signed by Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros. The partnership is a key deliverable of the new EU Global Health Strategy adopted by the European Commission. Indeed, strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage worldwide is one of the three key priorities of the Strategy.

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “In line with Global Gateway and its health component the new Global Health Strategy which we are launching today, the EU continues to develop and strengthen meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships for health. I am delighted to sign with Dr. Tedros a new contribution of €125 million EU contribution for the period 2023–2027 to our Universal Health Coverage Partnership with the World Health Organization. As COVID-19 dramatically highlighted, resilient health systems and equitable access to health care are key to ensuring individual well-being and identifying and managing public health threats effectively.”

Health is a fundamental human right, and universal health coverage is critical for achieving that right. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating evidence that UHC is the foundation of resilience and sustainable development for all. That’s true for individuals and families confronting a life-threatening illness, and it’s true for countries—and the whole world—in the face of epidemics and pandemics.

”I am grateful to the European Union for its strong leadership and longstanding commitment to helping the world achieve UHC”,  said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.