Tripoli, 7 April 2018 - Libya commemorated the 70th World Health Day (WHD) under the theme “universal Health coverage-everyone, everywhere”, by arranging a joint seminar on the theme of WHD by WHO, MoH, NCDC and the University of Tripoli at Tripoli University Hospital (Tripoli Medical Center).

In his key note speech, Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative to Libya delivered the message from Acting Regional Director. It was highlighted that WHD 2018 is a unique opportunity for WHO and the Member States because WHO is also commemorating its 70th anniversary, and the 40th anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration on primary health care, which set the goal of “health for all”. These important coinciding events make World Health Day 2018 a very special one, the theme of which is, a “universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere.” 

Universal health coverage implies that everyone has "The right to health for all people” and universal health coverage “UHC” are two sides of the same coin”. UHC is also the main engine for implementing Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals which could very much facilitate the provision of preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services to not only Libya population but also to migrants and other vulnerable population in Libyan. While the basic three pillars of UHC apply universally, the application of the mechanics of UHC could differ from country to country and from context to context. WHO has estimated that in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, around 55.5 million individuals face financial hardship and around 7.7 million are pushed into poverty every year because of excessive out-of-pocket payment. 

"Celebrating World Health Day is a symbolic event to remind ourselves of the importance of promoting the health for all”, said His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr Omar Bashir Al-Tahir in his remarks, and added "The State of Libya is one of the countries in the world that has the largest number of health centers at different levels and specialties; it also outperforms many countries by embracing a large number of centers. We need a serious and genuine effort to achieve efficiency in the provision of health services and this requires cooperation between most ministries, partners and institutions in decision-making."