The power of civil society in ensuring UHC: the Health for All Advocacy Toolkit

The Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) with the support of our team presented the Health for All Advocacy Toolkit, which aims to equip national-level civil society organizations and health networks with essential resources to initiate advocacy campaigns on universal health coverage (UHC). Its purpose is to hold policymakers accountable for their commitments, foster a broad social movement within civil society, and garner support for health for all.

Globally, numerous organizations and networks advocate for diverse health issues, such as HIV, TB, malaria, diabetes, heart disease, and maternal health. The overarching goal of UHC holds significant potential to advance these health issues collectively, uniting advocates across sectors under a common agenda for overall health and well-being.

A crucial component of achieving health for all is enhancing access to comprehensive and quality health services. This complements ongoing efforts to improve immunization, water and sanitation, education, migration policies, workplace safety, and other determinants of health. At the core of these endeavors are individuals and their communities.

The Health for All Advocacy Toolkit is designed to enhance capacity, inspire, and mobilize civil society in support of the global UHC movement. It operates on the principle that health is a fundamental human right, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure that discussions on UHC encompass aspects before, within, and beyond the confines of health systems, reflecting the realities of people and communities. This toolkit introduces fundamental UHC concepts and outlines the diverse roles civil society plays not only at the local and national levels but also in global health governance to ensure inclusivity and leave no one behind.

The Health for All Advocacy Toolkit (in English)

Also read:

• Analysis of procurement of rapid tests and test systems for HIV monitoring in Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Moldova (2021-2022): challenges and recommendations
• Almaty: ECAT meeting on expanding access to treatment and diagnostics for HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis