79th WHA Individual Statements
Agenda Item No.12.4: Universal health coverage
Individual Statement
Documents A79/5 and EB158/2026/REC/1, resolutions EB158.R2, EB158.R3, EB158.R4 and EB158.R5
Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
We welcome WHO’s continued leadership in advancing universal health coverage, including through stronger, integrated health systems that can deliver essential services across the continuum of care, including emergency, critical, and operative care.
To make UHC real for people and communities, we highlight self-care as a practical and people-centred approach that complements health system strengthening—supporting prevention, early action, adherence, and continuity of care, especially where access remains limited or fragmented.
Self-care must not be seen as shifting responsibility away from governments or health systems. Instead, it should be enabled through evidence-based products and services, trusted information, and referral pathways that connect people to timely facility-based care when needed—including for urgent and life-saving interventions.
We encourage WHO and Member States to integrate self-care within UHC reforms and service delivery, so that access is expanded, inequities are reduced, and health systems are strengthened.
Thank you.