As COVID-19 continues to highlight inequities within and across countries, the world’s commitment to health as a human right will largely determine the sustainability of economies and societies we build and rebuild, during the pandemic and far into the future. 

Accelerating progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) relies on greater investments in primary health care (PHC) to bring services closer to people. The UHC Partnership, one of WHO’s largest initiatives for international cooperation for UHC and PHC, is providing vital and timely support to help countries to take advantage of the opportunity to emerge stronger from the pandemic. 

The Partnership works in 115 countries with funding from the European Union, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Irish Aid, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Government of Japan - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the United Kingdom - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Belgium, Canada and Germany.

Many of these countries are demonstrating that PHC best serves communities and empowers them to choose healthier lifestyles, prevent diseases or access early detection, treatment and recovery. People-centred PHC, with equity in service delivery, ultimately paves the way for a fairer, healthier world for all. 

Country experiences and lessons from COVID-19 are documented in the UHC Partnership’s special series of stories from the field on the COVID-19 response.

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: Sudan is empowering people to voice their health needs by implementing community dialogues where they can take part in finding solutions and hold their local health authorities accountable.

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