IAPB supports Universal Health Coverage day

All people everywhere should be able to access health services including eye health services, whatever their social or economic background, their gender, age, or health status.

Yet the reality is high proportions of people globally cannot afford to access even basic services, or are excluded in other ways, such as persons with vision impairment may experience physical or sensory barriers (inaccessible health information or facilities) or health personnel may not be disability sensitive, or maldistribution of personnel may mean people living in remote areas will not be able to access health services.

By definition Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that health services are accessible to all people without suffering financial hardship. In practice this should mean focusing on strengthened more equitable health systems, more sustainable approaches to health financing, and breaking down barriers, financial and other forms.

IAPB believes it is essential to promote universal health coverage and as part of this promote accessible eye health services, in keeping with The Global Action Plan (GAP) for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment 2014-2019 – Towards Universal Eye Health. The GAP is a commitment endorsed by all WHO Member States to improve eye health for everyone.

Join IAPB and hundreds of organisations around the world by signing up to and promoting Universal Health Coverage day.

http://www.universalhealthcoverageday.org/en/