On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) – the idea that everyone, everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care – as an essential priority for international development.

In 2014, the Universal Health Coverage Coalition started to celebrate 12 December as UHC Day, to commemorate the date on which the UN General Assembly officially recognised the importance of UHC. Since then, the day has become the annual rallying point for the growing global movement for Health for All. 

On 12 December 2017, UNGA proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution, making it an official UN-designated day. 

UHC Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage. Each year on 12.12, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, to call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and to remind the world that Health for All is imperative to create the world we want.

UHC Day 2019

The theme of UHC Day 2019 is ‘Keep the Promise’

In September, all UN Member States agreed to a Political Declaration on UHC. Heads of state, at the High-Level Meeting on UHC at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2019, demonstrated strong political vision and commitment to ensuring UHC for the people they serve. In the resulting political declaration, UN Member States recognized the importance of primary health care as “the cornerstone of a sustainable health system for universal health coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals”.

Now, UHC advocates will take their turn to send them a message and this year’s UHC Day campaign theme says it loud and clear: Keep the Promise.

We need to see action plans to guarantee health as a right, not a privilege. 
We need to see real investment in a society where all people—regardless of gender, race, religion, citizenship, age, ability, sexual orientation, or wealth—can get the quality health care they need and trust without facing financial hardship. 
We need to see strong, equitable health systems that truly leave no one behind. 

How to get involved

Join the UHC Day global kick-off call on 11 December!

Visit the UHC Day 2019 Campaign Website 

  • Share your plans for 12 December.
  • Find background on the UHC movement, including the Key Asks that helped shape the most ambitious and comprehensive Political Declaration on global health in history.
  • Find more materials—including the social media toolkit and heat map of global events. Stay tuned, and get ready to Keep the Promise on 12 December, International UHC Day.
  • Follow on Twitter for updates @UHC2030, @CSOs4UHC and @UHC_Day 
  • Keep the Promise theme graphics are available in all six UN languages.

Visit the UHC Day campaign site and find out how you can take action to support UHC, both on December 12th and throughout the year. You can also learn about events organised by other partners around the world.

UHC Day campaign site

Role of UHC2030

UHC2030 has supported UHC Coalition partners to organise UHC Day events since our establishment in 2016. But our role is growing. 

Another 2017 UNGA resolution also recognised UHC2030 as the most relevant group for providing support to Member States for developing and strengthening sustainable UHC initiatives at the national level. Building on this experience and mandate, UHC2030 is uniquely positioned to coordinate partners to organise around UHC Day across the world and is now spearheading these efforts.  

Leading transparently and collaboratively, UHC2030 convenes and houses a multi-stakeholder Coordination Group on International UHC Day (12.12.CG) that includes Member States, organisations of the United Nations system, civil society, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and academia*. 

12.12.CG is responsible for developing the identity and campaign materials for UHC Day, building on the existing efforts of the UHC Coalition and other relevant initiatives for UHC.

UHC Day Identity Guide

Coordination Group TOR

*12.12CG: The 2018 campaign includes representatives from the UN Secretariat, Department of Public Information; WHO Communications Department; World Bank Health, Nutrition and Population, Communications; UNICEF Communications; Government of Japan; Government of Thailand; Rockefeller Foundation; Civil Society Engagement Mechanism; World Economic Forum and Health System Global.

Health is a human right... but we have a long way to go until everyone can get the quality health care they need and deserve.

Join us on 12.12.18 to call for quality health care without financial hardship for everyone, everywhere.

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