MEDIA ADVISORY

To: Editors & Health Journalists
Issued by: Department of Health
Date: Friday, 09 December 2022

Health Ministry convenes Universal Health Coverage Policy Dialogue

Pretoria: The Department of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization will next week (Monday, 12 December), convene a high-level Universal Health Coverage (UHC) seminar under the theme: “Build the World We Want: A Healthy Future for All”, which serves as a clarion call for all people to access quality health services without financial hardship.

The purpose of this seminar which forms part of the international Universal Health Coverage Day commemorative events, is to enhance collective efforts towards building a resilient health system, promoting equity and building a healthier nation.  This will enable 150-200 delegates who include political leaders, health experts and captains of the industry to share the latest global, regional, and international developments on Universal Health Coverage, discuss pertinent health systems matters and to draw lessons to accelerate the implementation of UHC in the country.
Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship. On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging member states to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage to ensure that everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care irrespective of their socioeconomic status. South Africa aims to achieve universal health coverage through the National Health Insurance.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event scheduled as follows:

Date:      Monday, 12 December 2022
Venue:  Birchwood Hotel, Kempton Park – Gauteng
Time:      09h00

For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

Mr Foster Mohale
Departmental Spokesperson
National Health Department
0724323792
Foster.mohale@health.gov.za

Mr Doctor Tshwale
Media Liaison Officer for Health Minister
National Health Department
063 657 8487
Doctor.Tshwale@health.gov.za