On the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), governments, development partners, and civil society organizations convened for the high-level side event, “Partnership in Action: Sustaining the Momentum for Country-Led and Self-Reliant Health Financing amid Fiscal Constraints.” Co-organized by the Governments of Japan and Nigeria, the United Nations Foundation, and UHC2030, the session aimed to sustain momentum around health financing reforms and help shape the narrative for the 2027 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The event brought together ministers and senior officials from Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, and Thailand to share lessons on strengthening domestic resource mobilization, protecting populations from financial hardship, and creating fiscal space for health in increasingly constrained economic environments. Speakers highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between ministries of health and finance, improved public financial management, and sustained political commitment to health financing reforms.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was that sustainable health financing is not merely a technical issue but a political and economic imperative. Country experiences demonstrated how strategic investments in primary health care, innovative financing mechanisms, and stronger coordination across sectors are helping accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage. Participants also emphasized the need to protect vulnerable populations from catastrophic health expenditures while ensuring efficient use of limited resources.
Representing the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN) at Amref Health Africa, Executive Director Dr. Rahul S. Reddy Kadarpeta highlighted the role of peer learning and collaboration in translating reforms into action. He underscored how JLN brings together policymakers and practitioners to co-develop practical solutions, enabling countries to learn from one another and accelerate health system reforms.
As preparations begin for the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC, the dialogue reinforced a clear message: achieving sustainable and self-reliant health systems will require strong country ownership, partnerships across sectors, and continued investment in health financing reforms that place people at the center.
