Let’s Get Back to Basics in Global Health
I have been doing a lot of thinking, writing and speaking about the MDG targets, the post 2015 agenda and Ebola lately and that led me to re-read the WHO Constitution and Millennium Declaration. I had forgotten how visionary the 1946 document and Millennium Declaration of 2000 are and how important it is to get back to basics in global health.
So let’s get back to basics this year. Here are some of the basic principles in Article 1 in the WHO constitution:
- Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
- 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.
- The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and States.
- The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of value to all.
- Unequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and control of disease, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.
- Healthy development of the child is of basic importance; the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such development.
- The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.
- Informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people.
- Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which can be fulfilled on by the provision of adequate health and social measures.
Article 1
The objective of the World Health Organization (hereinafter called the Organization) shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Fulfilling the right to health of all is possible. Let’s get back to basics and get it done. Join me in a teleconference to discuss “The Right to Health and Getting Back to Basics” on January 29 at 12:00noon, EST.
Just click the button below to register.
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