World Health Day: PAHO reaffirms its commitment to the right to health for all people – PAHO/WHO
Washington, DC, April 5, 2024 (PAHO) – On the occasion of World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated its commitment to the right to health of all people , without discrimination of any kind.
«At PAHO, we strive to fulfill this right to health by working with our Member States to promote universal health for all, including those populations living in vulnerable situations,» said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.
The theme of this year’s World Health Day is «My health, my right» and seeks to promote the right of all people, everywhere, to access quality health services, education and information, as well as water drinking and sanitation. clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent environmental and working conditions, adequate social protection and absence of discrimination, among others.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized health as a human right in its Constitution. However, in the Americas, almost 30% of the population has unmet health care needs, a situation that is worsened in low-income countries and in the most impoverished and vulnerable communities.
To guarantee the right to health, Dr. Barbosa highlighted the importance of addressing the historical inequalities that prevent many from exercising this right, and that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. «Socioeconomic conditions such as poverty and limited access to basic services put people at higher risk of disease,» he said. «Financial, geographic and cultural barriers also hinder access to health care for some populations.»
PAHO recommends transforming health systems based on primary health care (PHC), a model centered on people and communities, which focuses on health, not disease. It also requires addressing the social and environmental determinants that affect the health, well-being and health equity of individuals and communities through intersectoral action.
Other recommendations to ensure equitable access to services include
increase investment in health to at least 6% of GDP, invest 30% of these resources in the first level of care and eliminate direct payments at the point of care
The Director of PAHO emphasized that the Organization continues to advance in the implementation of its initiative to eliminate more than 30 infectious diseases and promote actions against non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. She also emphasized PAHO’s work to strengthen the region’s health services by introducing innovations and technologies that allow them to respond more effectively and equitably to health threats.
“Health and well-being are central aspects of living a full life and should not be considered a privilege, but rather the foundation from which society develops, grows and prospers,” said the PAHO Director.
