The inaugural session of the High-Level Forum on Universal Health Coverage on 14/12/2017 was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President of Senegal and President of Myanmar, leaders of international organizations including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered speech

at the Universal Health Covering Forum in Tokyo, Japan

 

In their speech, the Heads of State emphasized the importance of health for the development of nations, investing in health as investment for development and achieving the goal of universal health coverage a prerequisite for attaining sustainable development goals. The leaders also emphasized the role of primary health care and strengthening the health system as a basis for access to health services, prevention and health promotion right in the community at cost effective manner.

WHO Director-General spoke at the opening session of the UHC

On this occasion, the Prime Minister of Japan announced a budget of US$ 2.9 billion to support low- and middle-income countries to achieve universal  health coverage goals by 2030. The Forum adopted the Tokyo Declaration on Universal Health Coverage.

Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien co-chaired the discussion

With the approval of the Prime Minister, H.E. Minister of Health Viet Nam Nguyen Thi Kim Tien lead the Viet Nam delegation at this forum. In particular, Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien co-chaired the discussion on "Strengthening the capacity of the health system, integrating pandemic preparedness and strengthening the health system towards Universal Health Coverage”. The Minister highlighted the challenges faced by the Viet Nam health sector in the prevention and control of emerging and dangerous diseases such as SARS, H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9. The Minister shared Viet Nam's experience in strengthening the community-based public health network through a network of physicians working at the village level for early detection and response to diseases, active participation in international health cooperation programs such as the Global Health Security Agenda, implementation of International Health Regulations, establishment of emergency Operation Centers (EOC). The Ministry of Health highly appreciates the important support of the Government of Japan, the World Bank, the World Health Organization and UNICEF to implement the Tokyo Joint Initiative on Universal Health coverage.