UHC Engage

Universal health coverage (UHC) is gaining momentum at the global and national levels as one of the key health-related sustainable development goals. At the country level, ensuring progress toward UHC will involve major health financing policy and systems reform. As countries introduce health financing reforms centered on nationwide health insurance schemes, policy discussions will dictate whether insurance systems are pro-poor, reach women and girls, include sexual and reproductive health services in benefits packages, or pay for certain or all portions of services. They will also determine the primary, secondary or tertiary facilities from which women and girls can access care, as well as how much those providers are paid through a national scheme—which strongly affects quality and rights-based service provision.

With this urgent motivation, PAI has launched a multiyear, evidence-based advocacy initiative to support civil society organizations as they advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights as a priority within emerging UHC policies. Using our innovative partnership model, policy analysis and advocacy expertise, we are supporting engagement in national UHC policy processes in six countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia) where UHC financing reforms are progressing rapidly and work is most urgently needed.