Introducing the Unitaid Advocates Network (UAN)
A fundamental truth lies at the heart of global health equity: regardless of background or circumstances, everyone deserves access to life-saving medicines and interventions. As we continue to grapple with a rapidly shifting poly-crisis world, millions of people in low- and middle-income countries continue to die from preventable, treatable diseases because they can’t access the lifesaving health products they need. Threats such as increasing inequality and polarization within countries and shifting alliances between them, lack of progress and momentum in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, particularly those on health, shrinking civil society space and rollback of laws to protect advocacy on civil and political advocacy which restrict human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly related to civil and political rights, particularly gender equality and LGBTQ+, quality and LGBTQ+. These factors have threatened the solidarity and cooperative action needed to mobilize the resources and political action required to effectively address our pressing global health challenges and advance health equity.
Unitaid created access to health innovations to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Its mission is to design and invest in innovative approaches to make quality health products available and affordable in low- and middle-income countries in partnership with countries’ partners, including civil society and community-based organizations. Though often overlooked, Unitaid holds a unique place in the global health architecture, and its anchoring role underpins many of the strategies, targets and goals of other vital entities such as the CEPI, FIND, GAVI and the Global Fund. Unitaid’s Strategy 2023-2027 sets out the organization’s ambition to invest US$1.5bn to scale up access to 30 lifesaving health products by 2030, across five priority areas: HIV, Tuberculosis, malaria, women’s and children’s health, and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Unitaid acknowledges the role and function of civil society in meeting its mission and strategic objectives. Civil society and communities affected by its programming are included in the Unitaid board. They are essential in stewarding the organization to be accountable to the communities and people most impacted by its mission. Civil society is acknowledged as a critical player in the Unitaid strategy. For civil society to be effective in this role and consider broader challenges and threats we collectively face, the Unitaid Advocates Networks (UAN) was created to provide a platform, tools and resources to raise awareness and support Unitaid’s work.
Figure 1- Unitaid Programmatic Priorities
What is the UAN?
The Unitaid Advocates Network seeks to be a dynamic coalition of passionate advocates dedicated to ensure that equity, transparency, and accountability remain at the forefront of Unitaid’s agenda. We will strive to shape policies prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities through strategic advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and coalition building. We recognize that meaningful change can only be achieved through the collective efforts of individuals and organizations from all walks of life. Whether you are a community health worker on the frontlines of the fight against malaria, a researcher pioneering ground-breaking treatments, or a passionate advocate for global health equity, there is a place for you within our network.
As we embark on this journey, we invite you to join us by signing up to join our network’s listserv through this link.
Some of our upcoming activities are listed below:
UAN Calls
- First UAN Meet & Greet Call is happening on 5 June 2024 at 15:00 CEST. Register here for the call!
Events
- UAN Replenishment Roundtable at the IAS
- Launch of UAN and our Cost of Inaction Report