Upcoming Virtual Dialogues on universal health coverage, integrated cancer treatment and care and health equity

UICC is organising two more Virtual Dialogues on the?integration of cancer services into universal health coverage (UHC) benefit packages, focused on treatment and supportive care, ahead of the second UN High-Level Meeting on UHC in September.

In the lead-up to the second United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, UICC is emphasising the critical importance of integrating comprehensive cancer services into UHC benefit packages.

As part of this endeavour, UICC has been organising a series of Virtual Dialogues. Two in May and early July examined the integration of?cancer prevention?and?early detection services?in UHC?programmes. The next two, scheduled for 27 July and 3 August 2023, will explore respectively the necessity for UHC plans to include a core package of essential?cancer treatment?and?palliative and supportive care?services.

WHO data suggests that more than?90% of high-income countries report access to comprehensive cancer treatment compared to less than 15% of low-income countries. The increased social and economic toll of cancer will be particularly high in low- and middle-income countries. It will require a coordinated advocacy push for the progressive scale-up of cancer services, holding governments accountable to global UHC and cancer commitments. UICC’s Virtual Dialogues on UHC and cancer explore the national and regional efforts to progressively realise cancer care services and the strategies employed by organisations to advocate for the?inclusion of these services in UHC benefit packages, ensuring that all individuals have access to essential cancer services, tailored to their specific needs, without causing financial hardship for patients and their families.

Cancer treatment services such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are of course essential to ensuring that everyone has the best possible chance of surviving a curable cancer.

Palliative and survivorship care?services also play a vital role. Ranging from symptom management to psychosocial support, these services are essential in mitigating unnecessary pain and suffering for people who are currently living with cancer and who have experienced cancer, as well as for their families.

In response to the growing community of cancer survivors and the disparities in access to affordable palliative and survivorship care services, UICC is advocating for the inclusion of these services in global UHC commitments as well as national essential benefits packages and cancer plans.

By including cancer services in UHC benefit packages, countries can?reduce disparities in access?to cancer care – and therefore in health outcomes (incidence, quality of life and survival) – for vulnerable and underserved populations. Universal cancer coverage has also been shown to generate?a significant return on investment.

The expert panels in the upcoming Virtual Dialogues?will investigate existing guidance for evidence-based advocacy and policymaking on?treatment and?palliative care, examine the increasing body of evidence on survivorship care, and discuss strategies for integrating the voices of survivors into advocacy efforts.