Universal health coverage must prioritize vulnerable populations, including those affected by neglected tropical diseases, which impact 1.62 billion people globally. Current health tools for these diseases often have serious limitations and high costs that impede disease control.

Research and development can support UHC by creating affordable, effective health tools tailored to patient needs and suitable for primary healthcare settings. Examples include oral treatments and simple diagnostic tests.

To address unmet needs and leave no one behind, Member States should ensure that the agenda of the 2027 UN High Level Meeting on UHC includes a clear focus on biomedical innovation, delivery of essential health tools, and opportunities for synergies and integration across R&D and access programmes for various diseases.