Making the United Nations Relevant to all People– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
29 April 2019
Excellencies,
Ms Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General,
Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, Deputy Director-General, World Health Organization,
Our keynote speakers, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Co-Chair, UHC2030 and CEO of the Amref Health Africa Foundation; and Dr. Adaora Okoli, Health for All Story Teller and Ebola Survivor,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to open this Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Universal Health Coverage. With over 600 representatives from public health organizations, civil society, foundations, academia and the private sector present today, I am looking forward to a rich discussion – with diverse perspectives, experiences, case studies, good practices and lessons learned.
Thank you all for coming today. I know your participation will greatly support Member States as they prepare for the High-Level Meeting on UHC this September.
Let me thank UHC2030 and the Group of Friends of UHC for their great efforts in promoting this hearing and for UHC in general.
I also want to thank the World Health Organization – whose Director-General, Mr Tedros Ghe-bre-yesus will join us via video later this morning– for the important role it has played, and continues to play, to ensure healthy lives and to promote well-being for all.
When I am asked to give examples of the UN’s biggest achievements, I often find myself speaking about the WHO. The eradication of smallpox, for instance – a success we have nearly replicated with polio.
The significant reductions in new HIV infections we saw during the first decade of this century. The advances we have made in the fight against malaria and TB.
And alongside these targeted campaigns – indeed, because of them – the growing push for universal health coverage and strengthening primary care services, culminating in the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Excellencies,
Friends,
This Goal is crucial to delivery of the whole 2030 Agenda. It is also one of the most challenging to achieve.
At least half the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. Health expenses push over 100 million people into extreme poverty every year. They are forced into choices that no one should ever have to make: Do I buy medicine or food? Education or treatment?
As so often, women and girls suffer disproportionately – when it comes to sexual and reproductive health, but also when it comes to accessing other basic services. Persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, minorities and those living in rural areas are also more likely to have poor health outcomes.
This is totally unacceptable, and profoundly sad. It runs counter to our commitment to leave no one behind. It is also economically unsustainable.
The macro-level impact of poor health services is enormous – estimated at trillions of dollars every year in lost productivity, long-term impairment and short-term expenditure. Malaria alone is thought to cost African countries around $12 billion a year. As the saying goes, health really is wealth.
Health services also make a crucial contribution to reducing mortality during conflict and to peacebuilding processes. They can reduce the risks – actual and perceived – of human mobility. They can minimise instability during epidemics. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 demonstrated the importance of robust and inclusive health systems.
And, of course, health is a human right – enshrined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and essential to the fulfilment of all fundamental human rights.
At least half the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. Health expenses push over 100 million people into extreme poverty every year. They are forced into choices that no one should ever have to make: Do I buy medicine or food? Education or treatment?
Dear friends,
If we look at the full impact – and cost – of poor health services, the case for prioritising universal health coverage is clear. Our aim in September, when the General Assembly holds the high-level meeting, must be to accelerate progress on coverage, including: financial risk protection; access to essential services; and access to safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines.
Today’s discussion is an opportunity to prepare for that meeting. Our first session will provide context to UHC within the broader 2030 Agenda, focussing on health coverage as a driver for inclusive development and prosperity.
Our second session will look at how we can keep our promise of “Health for All” and build more equitable health systems.
Our third session will consider how we can increase and enhance multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder action and investment on UHC.
And we will finish the day by hearing from the co-facilitators for the September meeting: the Permanent Representatives of Georgia and Thailand.
Excellencies,
Friends,
The Universal Declaration proclaimed the right to health in 1948. Seven decades on, it remains a distant dream for half the world’s people. Let us seize the opportunities we have this year to change that.
Thank you.
