Bringing in academia and the media to work for the achievement of sexual and reproductive health and rights into universal health coverage in selected Commonwealth African countries

The Commonwealth Medical Trust (Commat) commits to intensify its efforts for the full, effective and accelerated implementation and funding for the ICPD PoA, Key Actions, outcomes of its reviews and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights as part of universal health coverage (UHC) during the next two years of its programme activities, with a special emphasis on ensuring that no one is left behind.

In order to carry out this commitment. Commat will:
• Ensure that academics, particularly those working on health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, in selected African Commonwealth countries are fully included in all aspects of our work to benefit from their experience and to showcase their expertise in this area
• Engage fully with the media to encourage their support for the full integration of SRHR in UHC, including the provision of information and services, highlighting in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages targets
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
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

Mode of engagement:

• Programmatic action
  A project involving academics and the media on SRHR into UHC in selected African countries to strengthen the work of Governments. It will include publication of research, roundtables and press conferences and other activities with the media