IAPO to define universal health coverage from the perspective of the patient

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), which ELF are a member of, will be holding their 6th Global Patients Congress this weekend (29-31 March 2014) and developing a set of patient-centred principles for universal health coverage.

Around the world, governments are realising the potential of universal health coverage to transform health systems and ensure access to healthcare for all. But what does universal health coverage mean and how can healthcare stakeholders work with patients to ensure that access to healthcare is patient-centred?

With a theme of ‘Better access, better health: A patient-centred approach to universal coverage, this Congress will provide the opportunity to explore what universal health coverage means from a patient perspective and its potential to improve health for all.

The goal of universal health coverage is to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them. This means that health systems must provide access to equitable, high-quality care which is sustainably financed. However, those most affected by healthcare policy – patients – must be involved in the design and implementation of universal health coverage for it to be truly patient-centred.

The Congress is a unique opportunity for patient representatives and other stakeholders to come together to explore how quality in healthcare is defined, the future of patient empowerment and engagement and what patient-centred universal health coverage looks like.

Find out more about the Congress