12.4a Universal health coverage – Draft global strategy for integrated emergency, critical and operative care, 2026–2035

Honourable Chairperson, esteemed delegates,

We note with concern the inequities in access to emergency, critical, and operative care, particularly in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Globally, 6% of surgical procedures occur in low-resource countries, despite those being home to over a third of the world’s population. As future health professionals, we recognise that timely access to these services is essential to UHC and resilient systems.

IFMSA urges Member States to integrate emergency, critical, and operative care into UHC, while strengthening health workforce, infrastructure, referral systems, and digital tools. Equitable access must be prioritised for all, especially vulnerable and marginalised populations.

Health systems cannot be truly universal when access to essential services remains unequal.

Thank you.

Contact person: Sie Meng Lee, Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization - lwho@ifmsa.org