UHC2030 at PMAC: a collaborative agenda for UHC

UHC2030 took part in a side event about universal health coverage at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference in Bangkok, Thailand on 30 January 2017. 

Dr. Sakchai Kanjanawatsana, the Acting Secretary General of the National Health Security Office, in Thailand made the welcome address to open the meeting. Participants reviewed progress and potential collaboration to accelerate universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries, looking at the role of development partners in the process. 

The meeting invited high-level speakers including Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo from the Philippines, Dr. Soulivanh Pholsena from Lao PDR, Dr. Thant Sin Htoo from Myanmar and Dr. Jadej from Thailand to speak about their country’s experiences and effective strategies for the progressive realization of UHC. Development partners including UHC2030, JICA, P4H and 3MDG also presented their perspectives on how they are collaborating and supporting country and global efforts to make progress towards UHC.

Dr. Timothy Evans and Dr. Somil Nagpal of the World Bank attended the meeting on behalf of UHC2030. Dr. Nagpal made a presentation, speaking about the transformation of IHP+ into UHC2030 and welcoming new partners to join the collaboration as members. 

Dr Viroj Tangcharoensathien of the International Health Policy Program in Thailand made concluding remarks, saying that health systems need to be functioning and accessible to all. He said: “It is the moral responsibility of development partners to strengthen in-country institutional capacities, with the aim to be independent from donor influences.”