World Health Day: WHO Urges Global Action; Upholding Right to Health Amidst Inaction, Injustice and Crises
By: Christian Conteh
On the commemoration of its establishment, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a clarion call for nations to take decisive action to safeguard the universal right to health amidst widespread inaction, injustice, and ongoing crises.
As the world observes World Health Day on April 7th, WHO's "My Health, My Right" campaign underscores the imperative of ensuring equitable access to quality health services for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status or circumstances.
The campaign advocates for universal access to essential health services, education, safe drinking water, clean air, nutrition, adequate housing, decent working conditions and freedom from discrimination. However, pervasive challenges such as political apathy, lack of accountability, insufficient funding, and entrenched discrimination continue to impede progress, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations including those living in poverty, displaced communities, the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
Alarming statistics reveal that in 2021, over half of the world's population—approximately 4.5 billion people—lacked access to essential health services, rendering them susceptible to diseases and disasters. Even for those who can access care, financial hardship remains a significant barrier, with approximately 2 billion individuals experiencing economic strain due to health-related expenses, a trend that has worsened over the past two decades.
Addressing these disparities necessitates substantial investments, requiring an estimated additional US$ 200–328 billion annually to bolster primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the daunting challenges, progress is achievable with political will, as demonstrated by 42 countries across various regions and income levels that have successfully expanded health service coverage and mitigated catastrophic health spending since 2000.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasizes that realizing the right to health demands governmental commitment to enacting and enforcing laws, investing in healthcare infrastructure, combating discrimination, and fostering accountability. WHO collaborates with governments, partners, and communities to uphold the highest standards of health as an inalienable right for all individuals, irrespective of their background or circumstances.
As the world marks World Health Day and looks towards the future, WHO urges governments to prioritize investments in primary healthcare, ensure transparency and accountability, and engage individuals and communities in shaping health-related policies and initiatives. Recognizing the interconnectedness of health with other fundamental rights, the campaign extends beyond healthcare to encompass finance, agriculture, environment, justice, transportation, labour, and social affairs.
In light of the ongoing efforts by individuals, communities, and civil society to defend and promote health rights, WHO calls upon the public to assert their rights to safe and quality healthcare, non-discrimination, privacy, information, bodily autonomy and decision-making. Through collective action and unwavering commitment, the global community can strive towards a future where health is truly a universal right, upheld and protected for every individual, everywhere