The role of access to affordable and quality assured blood and blood products for achieving Universal Health Coverage (Editorial).

The theme of World Health Day 2018 is 'Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere' under the slogan 'Health for All'. Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as pertains to blood and blood products, means that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products. Blood and blood products are essential components in the proper management of women suffering from bleeding associated with pregnancy and childbirth; children suffering from severe anaemia due to malaria and malnutrition; patients with blood and bone marrow disorders and immune deficiency conditions; victims of trauma, emergencies, disasters and accidents; and patients undergoing advanced medical and surgical procedures.