CARIBBEAN-PAHO reaffirms its commitment to the right to health for all people

WASHINGTON, CMC—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated its commitment to the right to health for all people without discrimination.

“At PAHO, we strive to fulfill this right to health by working with our member states to advance universal health for all, including for those populations living in situations of vulnerability,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa ahead of Sunday’s World Health Day (WHD).

This year’s World Health Day theme is “My health, my right.” It seeks to promote the right of all people, everywhere, to access quality health services, education, and information, as well as to safe drinking water and sanitation, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent environmental and working conditions, adequate social protection, and freedom from discrimination, among other things.

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized health as a human right in its Constitution. However, in the Americas, almost 30 percent of the population has unmet healthcare needs, a situation that is exacerbated in low-income countries and the most impoverished and vulnerable communities.

To ensure the right to health, Dr. Barbosa stressed the importance of addressing the historical inequalities that prevent many from exercising this right, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Socio-economic conditions such as poverty and limited access to basic services expose people to a higher risk of disease. Financial, geographic, and cultural barriers also hinder access to care for some populations.”

PAHO said it 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 calls for intersectoral action to address the social and environmental determinants that condition the health, well-being, and health equity of individuals and communities.

Other recommendations to ensure equitable access to services include increasing investment in health to at least six percent of gross domestic product (GDP), investing 30 percent of these resources in the first level of care, and eliminating direct payments at the point of care
Dr. Barbosa said PAHO continues to progress in implementing its initiative to eliminate more than 30 infectious diseases and promote actions against non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.

He also emphasized PAHO’s work to strengthen the region’s health services by introducing innovations and technologies to enable 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 regarded as a privilege, but rather viewed as the foundation from which society develops, grows, and prospers,” the PAHO Director said.