WHO chief urges respect, protection of human rights in health

10 Décembre 2017

Geneva, Switzerland, December 10 (Infosplusgabon) -  The Director-General of the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Sunday urged all countries to respect and protect human rights in health – in their laws, their health policies and programmes.

In a statement to mark UN Human Rights Day, he said: "We must all work together to combat inequalities and discriminatory practices so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of good health, no matter their age, sex, race, religion, health status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or migration status."

Dr Tedros said the world has a long way to go until everyone – no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have – has access to these basic human rights.

He added that the central principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to ensure that no one is left behind.

Quoting from the Constitution of the WHO, which states that “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition,” Dr Tedros said after almost 70 years these words are more powerful and relevant than ever.

He said the right to health for all people means that everyone should have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship.

No one should get sick and die just because they are poor, or because they cannot access the health services they need.

"Good health is also clearly determined by other basic human rights including access to safe drinking water and sanitation, nutritious foods, adequate housing, education and safe working conditions. The right to health also means that everyone should be entitled to control their own health and body, including having access to sexual and reproductive information and services, free from violence and discrimination."

Dr Tedros said everyone has the right to privacy and to be treated with respect and dignity, adding that nobody should be subjected to medical experimentation, forced medical examination, or given treatment without informed consent.

He said that is why WHO promotes the idea of people-centred care; it is the embodiment of human rights in the practice of care.

"When people are marginalized or face stigma or discrimination, their physical and mental health suffers. Discrimination in health care is unacceptable and is a major barrier to development.

"But when people are given the opportunity to be active participants in their own care, instead of passive recipients, their human rights respected, the outcomes are better and health systems become more efficient," Dr Tedros said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/MLK/GABON 2017

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