PHRD Technical Assistance Universal Health Coverage Program (UHC) – World Bank

Report on the PHRD Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Window and Its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The PHRD Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Window has played a pivotal role in accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, aligning closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Since key international milestones such as the Ise-Shima G7 Summit (May 2016), TICAD VI (August 2016), and the Universal Health Coverage Forum in Tokyo (December 2017), the program has enabled countries to share practical lessons and implement strategies to advance UHC and health security.

Development Objective

The primary development objective of the UHC Window is to contribute to accelerating progress towards UHC and Health Security in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This is achieved through:

1. Analytical and advisory services
2. Technical assistance (TA) and capacity building support in critical areas

These efforts support the Tokyo Joint UHC Initiative and contribute directly to achieving SDG 3 targets related to universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness.

Background: Expanding Knowledge to Promote Universal Health Coverage

Japan’s long-standing commitment to global health diplomacy is reflected in its achievement of UHC in 2011, marking 50 years of universal health coverage. The Government of Japan (GoJ) and the World Bank Group (WBG) conducted multi-country studies to share experiences from countries at various stages of UHC implementation. These studies were published as:

• Universal Health Coverage for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: A Synthesis of 11 Country Case Studies
• Universal Health Coverage for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Japan

These publications provide valuable insights for LMICs designing context-specific UHC strategies, directly supporting SDG 3.8 on achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health services.

Strategic Objectives and Alignment with SDGs

Established in 2016, the PHRD UHC program builds on the Ise-Shima G7 Summit recommendations and GoJ-WBG joint studies. Its strategic objectives include:

• Providing analytical and advisory support to LMICs with strong potential to improve health policies and promote UHC
• Supporting the development and implementation of strategies and capacities to adopt, achieve, and maintain UHC
• Investing in pandemic preparedness and strengthening health systems in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO)

These objectives contribute to multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 1: No Poverty (through financial risk protection)
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (by promoting equitable access to health services)

Country Program Grant Structure

• Priority Area I: Policy and Institutional Analysis and Advisory Services (ASA-Bank Executed Trust Fund)
• Priority Area II: Institutional Capacity Building and Implementation Support (Recipient Executed Trust Fund)

Technical Areas Supported

1. Health financing
2. Human resources for health
3. Breakthrough innovations and disruptive technology
4. Harnessing private sector engagement
5. Ageing and Long-Term Care
6. Climate-Health Nexus and Disaster Risk Management

Note: From Phase 3 Round 3 (2023 onwards), support for Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 response was discontinued due to availability of other funding. New technical areas such as Ageing and Long-Term Care, and Climate, Disaster Risk Management and Health were added, reflecting evolving global health priorities and supporting SDG 13: Climate Action.

PHRD UHC Country Program Phases I-III

The program has evolved over three phases:

• Phases I and II: 32 grants totaling $18.6 million
• Phase III: 51 approved grants totaling $29.0 million

The average size of ASA grants was approximately $0.58 million in Phases I and II and $0.56 million in Phase III. As of now, 54% of grants have closed, with 19 grants under implementation expected to close by June 30, 2026.

Phase IV Launch and Future Directions

Phase IV, launched in FY25, supports country-level activities that contribute to the World Bank’s Regional Health Strategies and enhances the UHC partnership program. This phase continues to advance the SDGs by strengthening health systems and promoting sustainable, inclusive health coverage worldwide.

Conclusion

The PHRD UHC Window exemplifies a strategic and collaborative approach to achieving Universal Health Coverage, directly contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3. Through analytical support, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, the program fosters resilient health systems, pandemic preparedness, and equitable access to quality health services in low- and middle-income countries.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), health security, pandemic preparedness, and health system strengthening, all central to SDG 3.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • References to breakthrough innovations, disruptive technology, and harnessing private sector engagement relate to fostering innovation and infrastructure.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article mentions Climate-Health Nexus and Disaster Risk Management, linking health with climate action.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Universal Health Coverage contributes to reducing poverty by preventing catastrophic health expenditures.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Promoting equitable access to health services under UHC addresses inequalities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks (pandemic preparedness).
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including health technologies.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators related to SDG 3:
   • Coverage of essential health services (UHC service coverage index).
   • Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income (financial risk protection).
   • Capacity for pandemic preparedness and response (e.g., disease surveillance and response capacity).
2. Indicators related to SDG 9:
   • Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
   • Number of health-related innovations and technologies adopted.
3. Indicators related to SDG 13:
   • Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
   • Health outcomes related to climate and disaster risk management.
4. Indicators related to SDG 1 and SDG 10:
   • Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location.
   • Measures of equity in access to health services.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: worldbank.org