Commonwealth health ministers to call for sustainable financing mechanisms in Geneva meet

The Commonwealth health ministers will hold their annual meeting in Geneva on May 21, on the eve of the 70th World Health Assembly, and call for “sustainable” financing mechanisms.

The theme of this year's meeting is: ‘Sustainable Financing of Universal Health Coverage as an Essential Component for Global Security including the Reduction of All Forms of Violence’, the Commonwealth said in a statement.

At last year’s meeting, Ministers recognised the importance of health security as a bridge to peace and stability, as well as the role the health sector can play in strengthening global security, including preparedness and responses to public health threats and disasters.

The 2017 meeting will build on these discussions by exploring the role of health as part of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to promoting global security, with a particular focus on preventing violence and building safe and resilient societies.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said “financing universal health coverage is a priority for all countries in the Commonwealth – and there is well-attested evidence that it enhances resilience and security as part of a package of approaches”.

Robust health systems are also direct contributors to equitable growth and sustainable development, he said.

“This year’s meeting of Commonwealth health ministers will seek consensus on a collective plan of action for the Commonwealth to ensure that accessible, affordable health systems are a reality for all our citizens”.

Four years ago, the United Nations unanimously endorsed universal health coverage as a cornerstone of sustainable development and global security, underpinning its role in promoting collective security and prosperity.

Dr George Pamboridis, Cyprus’ Minister of Health will chair the one-day meeting, which will emphasise dialogue between ministers of the 52-nation Commonwealth.

Three roundtable sessions will cover financing of universal health coverage; the role of health in global security; and, preventing violence.  The meeting will conclude with a statement of action.

Dr Pamboridis said the global geographic spread of the Commonwealth countries “implies the necessity of acting jointly on cross border risks to public health security, since domestic action alone has not been proven sufficient in ensuring health locally”.