How can smart health financing and integrated care come together to deliver better health outcomes and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC)?
This was the central question explored during a high-level side event at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, co-organized by the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN), PATH, Amref Health Africa, and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+).
Bringing together government representatives, civil society leaders, development partners, and health financing experts from Africa and Asia, the discussion highlighted practical lessons from countries pursuing ambitious reforms to strengthen primary health care (PHC), improve health financing systems, and build more integrated, people-centered models of care.
A key message emerging from the dialogue was that health financing is about more than mobilizing resources. Participants emphasized the importance of strong governance, accountability, and financing mechanisms that ensure resources flow efficiently from national budgets to frontline PHC facilities and communities. Strengthening national and subnational capacity was identified as essential for advancing health sovereignty and ensuring that financing translates into tangible improvements in service delivery.
Speakers also underscored the critical role of communities in building healthier societies. Community health workers were recognized as indispensable links between health systems and populations, particularly those furthest from care. Participants stressed that communities, clients, and people with lived experience must be engaged as equal partners in designing, implementing, and monitoring health reforms to ensure services are equitable, responsive, and grounded in dignity.
The conversation further highlighted prevention and health promotion as some of the smartest investments countries can make. While curative services remain important, participants called for increased investment in prevention, health promotion, and efforts to strengthen health, financial, and digital literacy as foundations for healthier and more resilient populations.
Another recurring theme was the growing importance of digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) as enablers of integrated, life-course care. Speakers noted that digital transformation can improve efficiency, quality, and continuity of care when solutions are aligned with country priorities, adapted to existing infrastructure, and designed to address specific health system challenges. Building trust and ensuring responsible implementation were identified as critical to maximizing the benefits of digital innovation.
Throughout the discussions, one message resonated strongly: integration is no longer optional. Across countries, reforms are increasingly focused on connecting financing, service delivery, digital systems, and community engagement to create more effective and people-centered health systems. Experiences shared from countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ghana demonstrated how integrated approaches are helping governments move beyond fragmented programmes toward stronger PHC systems capable of delivering care across the life course.
For JLN, the event reflected a broader shift observed across WHA79—from discussions focused on why Universal Health Coverage matters to practical conversations about how countries can deliver it. Through collaborative learning and country-to-country exchange, JLN continues to support governments in identifying and scaling solutions that strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress toward UHC.
As countries work toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, participants agreed that health can no longer be viewed as a cost or luxury. It must be recognized as a public good, a human right, and a cornerstone of sustainable development. Achieving UHC will require smart and transparent financing, integrated primary health care, responsible digital innovation, and health reforms shaped by and accountable to the people they are intended to serve.
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