Stakeholder engagement in health: whose business is it anyway?

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the cornerstone of equitable health systems and service delivery. Achieving UHC requires both "whole of government" and "whole of society" approaches that are vital for building resilient health systems that promote physical and mental wellness for all communities. In this paper, we review several theories of stakeholder engagement (SE) and argue that meaningful SE - as opposed to stakeholder management - is essential for fostering early participation and democratic decision-making in the transformation of health systems towards UHC. We recommend several key steps to promote early and inclusive SE that actively solicit input from diverse community members, establish open platforms for dialogue, and leverage the expertise and resources of various sectors. By creating a collaborative environment that includes each individual, whether an educator, policymaker, family member, or business leader, amongst others, we can advance the goals of UHC and build health systems that benefit everyone.