Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. UHC can be seen as the practical expression of the right to health, which was established in 1948 by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is enshrined in many national constitutions and domestic laws.

Today, UHC is one of the key health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an explicit focus on reaching marginalized groups and others who have trouble accessing or affording health-care services.2,3 The benefits of UHC cut across these health targets and contribute to promoting health security and equity. UHC also contributes to other goals including social inclusion, reducing inequalities, gender equality, poverty eradication, economic growth and human dignity.