The Chairmen and staff of the departments of Community Medicine and TahafuuiwaSamaji Tib (PSM), faculty of Medicine and Unani Medicine , Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), jointly organised National Symposium on Universal Health Coverage. It is an integrated approach, on the occasion of World Health Day which is celebrated on 7th April every year.

In his Presidential address Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice Chancellor of AMU said the 2018 theme for World Health Day is “Universal Health Coverage”: Everyone, Everywhere. It refers to the providing of essential health care services to a person while ensuring that the use of these does not expose the user to financial distress.

Prof Mansoor added, according to a report in World Health Organisation (WHO), at least half of the world’s population do not have full coverage of basic health services.“UHC” is firmly based on the WHO constitution of 1948 declaring health a fundamental human right and on the Health for All agenda set by the Alma Ata declaration in 1978.

Guest of Honour Prof Jugal Kishore (Director and Head of the Department of Medicine), Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, congratulated the entire team of AMU for organising such symposium. He said, still in our country, we do not cover 100% of our population with health facilities and many people fall below poverty line, when they require treatment. He added this can only be reduced with integration of ÄYUSH” (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy)

Prof. S C Sharma (Principal, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital—JNMC, talked about relevance of 17th Anniversary of UHC and health funding policies that promote equity, efficiency and effectiveness and ensure that the rights of the most vulnerable are not forgotten.

The Dean Faculty of Unani Medicine Prof Khalid Zaman emphasised that in formulating a strategy to fill the UHC box, stakeholders should also recognize that this is not purely a technical exercise; the UHC endeavour should be built on a foundation of human rights and equity.

In his introductory address Prof S M Safdar Ashraf (Chairman and Organising Secretary ) elaborated that this symposium is an integrated approach towards achievement of health and well-being of each and every person without any discrimination of cast , creed , religion , colour and most important PATHY. He also shared that soon an association with nomenclature of “Indian Integrated Community Health Association (IICHA),” will be launched.

In his welcome address Prof M Athar Ansari (Organising Chairman) briefed that strategic aim of universal health coverage is to ensure that everyone can use the health, no matter what their socio-economic situation. The over-arching concept of universal health coverage takes a broad view of the services that are needed for good health and well-being.

Dr. Mohd Usman paid vote of thanks and Dr. Saira Mehnaz conducted the programme with planning, execution and follow-ups.

The convenor Dr. Ali Amir and Joint Secretary Dr. Ali Jafar Abidi were also present during inaugural function.