On September 28, 2021, the International Health Partnership for UHC2030 (UHC2030), the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EFP), and the African Parliamentary Forum on Population and Develop (FPA) released the Parliamentarian Guide: 6 Action Steps to Achieve Universal Health Coverage. The Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) was involved in the creation of the guide as one of the support bodies for the secretariat.

In September 2019, at the UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), world leaders endorsed the most ambitious political declaration on health in history. The declaration recognised the critical importance of legislative and regulatory frameworks for the achievement of UHC, and by extension, the critical importance of collaborating with parliamentarians.

The Parliamentarian Guide on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a politically neutral capacity-building resource that enables members of parliament to focus and reflect on what they can do within their mandate to advance the objectives of key global health policy frameworks. This project aims to accelerate progress and generate political and financial momentum towards the achievement of UHC by inspiring subject-matter sensitivity and accountability around health and health-related concepts.

Aimed at parliamentarians around the world, the guide outlines 6 action steps to achieve Universal Health Coverage: lead, protect, legislate, advocate, invest, and collaborate. It also provides 10 modules listed below that include examples of how parliamentarians can play a role in addressing specific health issues.

1. Primary Health Care
2. Health System Strengthening
3. Budget Appropriation and Accountability
4. Global Health Security
5. Immunization
6. SRHR and RMNCAH-N+FP
7. Gender Equality
8. HIV/AIDS
9. The Human Right to Science
10. NCDs and the Digital Divide

This guide equips legislators with the full scope of information on UHC and its ripple effects on society and addresses the social justice reform that will serve as the foundation of UHC.

To learn more about the Parliamentarian Guide on UHC and download the full text click here.