Dr. Haruka Sakamoto, Senior Manager at Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), delivered a lecture titled “Assessing Japan’s UHC from the Perspective of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health ~ What Japan can tell us” as part of the training program “Maternal Continuum of Care and UHC” hosted by JOICEF on November 26, 2024.

The training program, focused on maternal and child health, aimed to deepen knowledge toward achieving sustainable health systems. It was attended by approximately 12 central and regional government officials from nine countries: Angola, Burundi, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Nepal, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Tajikistan.

In her lecture, Ms. Sakamoto explained how Japan’s maternal and child health policies have contributed to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). She highlighted unique initiatives such as the community health nurse system and the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, which support the efficient and comprehensive delivery of health services. The discussion focused on four of the six components of UHC: Leadership & Governance, Health Financing, Human Resources, and Service Delivery, offering insights to help participants identify and address challenges in their respective countries.

During the Q&A session, participants posed questions based on the realities and challenges in their countries, leading to a lively and engaging discussion. Many attendees remarked that Japan’s experiences served as valuable practical examples that could be adapted to their own contexts.

HGPI remains committed to contributing to the advancement of maternal and child health and the promotion of UHC through continued international collaboration and knowledge exchange.