To commemorate World Health Day (7 April), the World Health Organization (WHO) is running the 'My Health, My Right' campaign, which champions the right to health for everyone, everywhere. Masu.
The campaign aims for universal access to quality health services, education, information, safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. We recommend securing it.
Around the world, the central challenge that consistently violates the right to health is political inaction and lack of accountability and funding, compounded by intolerance, discrimination and prejudice. Those who face exclusion and vulnerability suffer the most, including those living in poverty, those who are displaced, the elderly and those living with disabilities.
While inaction and injustice are the main reasons for the failure to realize the right to health globally, the current crisis has led to particularly egregious violations of this right. The conflict has left a trail of devastation, mental and physical suffering, and death.
The burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously contributing to the climate crisis and violating our right to breathe clean air. The climate crisis is driving more extreme weather events, threatening the health and well-being of the entire planet and straining access to services to meet basic needs.
Everyone has the right to access quality, timely and appropriate health services without discrimination or financial hardship. However, by 2021, 4.5 billion people, more than half of the world's population, will lack essential health services, leaving them vulnerable to disease and disasters. Even those who have access to health care often struggle financially because of it, with approximately 2 billion people facing financial hardship due to health care costs, a situation that has been worsening for two decades.
To expand coverage, an additional US$200–328 billion per year is needed globally to scale up primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (or 3.3% of national projected GDP). It shows that progress is possible when there is political will. Since 2000, 42 countries representing all regions and income levels have succeeded in improving both health coverage and protection against catastrophic health expenditures.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Realizing the right to health requires governments to pass and enforce laws, invest, address discrimination and be accountable to their people. ” he said. “WHO works with governments, partners and communities to ensure the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people, everywhere.”
The right to health is enshrined in the WHO Constitution, and at least 140 countries have recognized the right to health in their constitutions. But awareness alone is not enough. That is why WHO supports countries across sectors to legislate the right to health and integrate human rights into health policies and programmes. The purpose of this support is to make health services available, accessible and responsive to the needs of the people they serve, and to increase community participation in health decision-making.
On this World Health Day and beyond, WHO is calling on governments to make meaningful investments to scale up primary health care. To ensure transparency and accountability. and meaningfully involving individuals and communities in health decision-making. Recognizing the interdependence between the right to health and other fundamental rights, the campaign includes calls to action on financial, agricultural, environmental, judicial, transport, labor and social issues.
Individuals, communities and civil society have long worked to improve access to health services and defend the right to health by breaking down barriers and advocating for equity. WHO calls on the public to know, protect and promote their health rights related to safe and quality care, zero discrimination, privacy and confidentiality, information, bodily autonomy and decision-making.
