The document discusses potential global health priorities beyond 2015, with the author's prediction that universal health coverage (UHC) may become the single overarching goal. This could negatively impact efforts against AIDS if UHC is not properly defined and implemented. However, UHC could also benefit the fight against AIDS if the "right to health" perspective is taken, with clarification of national and global responsibilities. The author argues that UHC will only help AIDS efforts if advocates actively work to ensure UHC protects the right to health for all diseases.

1. Future Global Priorities
or
Beyond 2015
Gorik Ooms
Researcher, Institute of Tropical Medicine
Executive director, Hélène De Beir Foundation
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

2. www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

3. Beyond 2015?
• My guess is as good as yours...
• My guess:
Only 1 health goal
→ Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

4. Why this could be bad news for the
fight against AIDS...
• UHC sounds like “health for all by the year
2000”, but then by the year 2100 or so
• The fatal flaw of the Alma Ata Declaration:
“Primary health care is essential health care …
made universally accessible … at a cost that the
community and country can afford to maintain at
every stage of their development in the spirit of
self-reliance and self-determination.”
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

5. “Primary health care is essential health care …
made universally accessible … at a cost that the
community and country can afford to maintain at
every stage of their development in the spirit of
self-reliance and self-determination.”
• Sounds good, but for people living with AIDS in
low-income countries, it means death (for the
sake of self-reliance)
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

6. Why this could be good news for the
fight against AIDS...
• „AIDS exceptionalism‟ has run its course
• The paradigm shift it imposed is truly
Copernican:
– From national responsibility (with some
external assistance)
– To human responsibility (national and
international)
(Note: global responsibilization may have induced
national deresponsibilization)
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

7. • The new paradigm is implicit, unclear, fragile,...
• The “Right To Health” (R2H) or health seen as a
human right, with corresponding entitlements
and national and global dues, could provide a
solid foundation for the paradigm shift
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

8. TUESDAY
:: NOON ::
Steps off from
In front (South) of the Convention
Center & at archives metro
www.WeCanEndAIDS.org
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

9. • R2H does not support the prioritization of a
single disease
• Could UHC = R2H???
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

10. How to make sure that UHC = R2H?
1. Question conventional understanding of
„sustainability‟
2. Clarify national and global responsibility, and
where they meet (a.k.a. „shared responsibility‟)
– a Framework Convention on Global Health?
3. Promote „diagonal approach‟
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

11. Sustainability = context-specific =
depends on who is held responsible
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

12. What does „shared responsibility‟ really
mean?
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

13. The „diagonal approach‟…
… now more than ever
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012

14. Conclusion (personal opinion)
UHC will work for the fight
against AIDS...
...if and only if AIDS fighters
work for UHC
www.aids2012.org Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012