SESRIC hosted the inaugural session of its “SESRIC Conversations” series titled “Global Action for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)” on 7 April 2026, in observance of World Health Day. As a new platform designed to bring together policymakers, thinkers, and development partners, SESRIC Conversations aims to exchange insights, align priorities, and deepen cooperation on the most pressing socioeconomic issues of our times.

The event convened eminent speakers to discuss sustainable health system development, persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in advancing UHC, as well as measures for broader and more equitable access to healthcare across the OIC member states. The Inaugural Session gathered around 80 representatives of diplomatic corps in Ankara, relevant national institutions, international organisations, academia, research centres, and students from OIC member countries pursuing studies in related disciplines in Türkiye. The Session also provided a timely platform to assess progress, exchange practical experience, and discuss how to overcome systemic barriers to health for all in line with the commitment to leave no one behind.

In her keynote address, H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK highlighted that significant strides have been made across the OIC region while stressing that health must be understood not only as a sectoral priority but as a defining pillar of sustainable development, national resilience, social justice, and societal dignity. Recalling a principle often underscored by H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, President of Republic of Türkiye, she noted that a nation’s strength is measured not only by its economy or institutions but also by its capacity to safeguard the well-being of every citizen. The Director General of SESRIC noted that progress in life expectancy, maternal and child health, and health system development needs to be matched by stronger action on both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as on service coverage, financial protection, and system resilience under SDG 3.8 on UHC. She further underlined that sound data is indispensable for informed policy, effective governance, and the wisdom to build systems that protect human life. Drawing attention to conflict-affected settings, H.E. SELÇUK stated that nowhere is the destruction of health systems more painfully visible than in Palestine, where attacks on hospitals, grave risks faced by medical personnel, and the denial of essential care continue to devastate civilian life. She stressed that supporting the resilience of the Palestinian people is “moral as much as institutional,” and called for solidarity, justice, and stronger health resilience in the face of such profound suffering.  he reaffirmed that SESRIC remains dedicated to supporting member states through technical cooperation and data-driven research to translate evidence into action and help unfold new success stories in health across the OIC region.

In his remarks, H.E. Dr. Aziz Alper BİTEN, Director General of EU and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, shared Türkiye’s extensive experience in health system strengthening, noting that political commitment is the primary engine of successful reform. He emphasised that, under the leadership of H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, Türkiye has undertaken a comprehensive and successful health transformation process that has made health services more accessible, more effective, and more citizen-oriented through reforms spanning service delivery, health workforce development, accessibility, and strong infrastructure. He also noted that Türkiye has now entered a new phase through its “Productive Health” vision, which seeks to transform health services from a public service alone into a strategic field that generates knowledge, technology, and added value. He emphasized that Türkiye is ready to cooperate with OIC countries to share these experiences and to contribute, through health diplomacy, to stronger international cooperation and global health solidarity.

In a recorded video message, H.E. Amb. Aftab Ahmad KHOKHER, OIC Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for Science and Technology, underscored the critical role of scientific advancement and digital health in achieving UHC. He recalled that UHC is not solely a health sector objective, but also a cornerstone of sustainable development, economic resilience, and social justice. He called for increased investment in medical research and the local production of medicines to ensure that life-saving interventions reach the most vulnerable populations. Amb. KHOKHER further noted that the OIC General Secretariat continues to work with Member States, OIC institutions, and international partners to advance impactful programmes and projects, including in least developed member states, under the OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action extended till 2027. He also highlighted the value of partnerships concluded with partners in strengthening health cooperation across the OIC region.

The session further continued with the presentations of the eminent speakers. The findings of the OIC Health Report 2025 were presented by Mr. Mazhar HUSSAIN, Director of Economic and Social Research at SESRIC. His presentation showed that over the past decade, OIC health cooperation has contributed to measurable advances toward SDG 3.8 on UHC by strengthening service coverage, financial protection, and system resilience across diverse member state contexts. Despite shocks such as COVID‑19, OIC countries sustained progress in life expectancy recovery, maternal and child survival, nutrition outcomes, access to essential medicines, and health research capacity. Many Member States also demonstrated adaptive resilience through expanded primary health care, vaccine access mechanisms, and collective emergency responses. The presentation further stressed that sustaining these gains will require broader service coverage, lower out-of-pocket spending, stronger health workforces, better-targeted health financing, enhanced emergency preparedness, and greater pharmaceutical self-reliance.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Burak CİVELEK, Head of Türkiye Cancer Institute (representing TÜSEB), and Attn. Serdar ŞENOL, Director General of International Health Services Inc. (USHAŞ), showcased the potential of public-private partnerships and medical technology to accelerate UHC. Prof. CİVELEK highlighted TÜSEB’s role in turning scientific knowledge into health innovation through its “Innovative Health Model”, which brings together universities, industry, and the public sector to advance vaccine development, genomic medicine, AI in health, accreditation, and domestic medical technologies. He also underlined Türkiye’s growing capabilities in locally driven research and production, including TURKOVAC, mRNA and cancer vaccine initiatives, genomic infrastructure, and support for strategic medical devices. Attn. ŞENOL, for his part, presented USHAŞ as a strategic enabler that translates policy into implementation through international patient services, health system promotion, training, supply of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, health information systems consultancy, and support for overseas health facilities. Together, their presentations demonstrated that advancing UHC requires not only public financing but also innovation ecosystems, local production capacity, digital infrastructure, and practical implementation models that can be scaled across the OIC region.

Lastly, Dr. Tasnim ATATRAH, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Türkiye, provided a global perspective on the roadmap for UHC and health security resilience. She emphasized that UHC is the “operating system” of a functioning society but cautioned that many countries still face deep constraints, with health spending remaining far below global averages. Dr. ATATRAH noted that the real opportunity for the OIC region lies in “cooperation at scale” to address shared challenges like workforce shortages and financing gaps rather than duplicating efforts. She further stressed that primary health care remains the highest-return and most equitable investment for countries seeking to turn UHC from policy language into measurable outcomes, and that standing with science also means protecting trust, strengthening local research capacity, and ensuring that evidence informs decision-making at every level.

Following the discussions, participants had an opportunity to interact with the speakers through a moderated Q&A session. The Inaugural Session reaffirmed that advancing UHC across the OIC region requires not only stronger financing, institutions, and technology but also solidarity, evidence-based policymaking, and a shared commitment to protect health and human dignity in every context. The inaugural session of the SESRIC Conversations Series concluded with a networking reception to increase synergies between the participating delegates.

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