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RDI Side Event UN High Level Meeting – 21 September 2023

Project Description

The National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support – Malta participated in the Rare Diseases International formal side event during the United Nations High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in New York City on 21 September 2023: “Engaging the UN System and Member States to Achieve UHC for PLWRD: A Blueprint for Leaving No One Behind”.

The event will featured high-level participation, including His Excellency Mr Aurélien Rousseau, the French Minister of Health and Prevention, Her Excellency Mrs Acko Ackenberg Johansson, Swedish Minister of Public Health Care, and Her Excellency Dr Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health for the State of Qatar. Her Majesty The Queen Silvia of Sweden also participated in the event via a video statement.

This event is the continuation of years-long advocacy by RDI and its partners. Since the Political Declaration on UHC in 2019, in which rare diseases are specifically mentioned, and the milestone UN Resolution on “Addressing the challenges of persons living with a rare disease and their families”, RDI has solidified the key tenets of UHC for Rare Diseases through regional consultations.

The objective is to highlight national successful actions implementing UHC for rare diseases, to explore methods to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses shouldered by PLWRD and their families, and to draw some quick wins for policy makers and stakeholders to implement.