Congenital Conditions and Universal Health: A Global Dialogue

Join us on September 21 8:30-10 AM inside the UN HQ, room 8, for a presentation and discussion sponsored by the Malaysia Mission to the United Nations and the Malaysia Ministry of Health, and organized by Operation Smile, Children’s HeartLink, Global Alliance for Rheumatic and Congenital Hearts and Miracle Feet. We’ll discuss what resources are needed to serve children born with birth defects around the globe in need of surgical correction or other treatment and how to advocate with policymakers for their inclusion in the universal health coverage agenda. The United Nations High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage is an important opportunity to advocate for progress in achieving health for all around the globe. But often the needs of children born with birth defects who require specialty healthcare aren’t considered in the design of essential benefits for universal health care programs. Several countries have taken bold steps to invest in specialty services to address this gap. But more countries need to step up to the plate to ensure true universal health care coverage for all.