The 71st World Health Assembly, held in Geneva from May 21st to 26th, concluded its sessions with the approval of the WHO’s general work program, which is structured around three strategic priorities that will mark the agenda of the next five years: achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations. In line with this debate, the World Bank approved a loan of 300 million dollars to strengthen universal health coverage in Argentina.

WHO pledged to mobilize the political will to ensure measures that promote appropriate access to health products and an appropriate action plan on public health, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, during the Assembly, almost 30 representatives from the countries of the Americas reaffirmed their commitment to achieve and strengthen universal health, with the aim of ensuring that all people and communities have access to high quality health services.

In relation to the concept of “health for all”, on May 22nd Adolfo Rubinstein, Argentina’s Minister of Health, welcomed the approval of the World Bank loan to support the expansion of public health in the country. The aim of the Universal Effective Health Coverage Support Project is to extend the coverage of services and increase coordination and build an integrated model between the National Ministry of Health, the provincial ministries and the health subsystems. It is expected that through credit, it will be possible to provide quality health coverage to 15 million people who use the public health system, in order to support the most vulnerable populations.