World Health Day: WHO tasks member states on sustaining rights to health

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has enjoined member states to uphold the progress towards fulfilling the right to health, agreed by all nations of the world in 1948 and enshrined in the WHO Constitution.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti made the call Sunday in her statement to mark this year’s World Health Day.

She said the right to health is a universal right of all human beings, regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status.

Dr Moeti said many people in the region still need help with access to quality essential health services due largely to unfulfilled rights.

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She said this was further compounded by protracted and ongoing crises such as conflicts, climate change, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and epidemics.

Meanwhile the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, has reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to advancing the health and well-being of all Nigerians.

In a statement Sunday signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the director information, the minister, said the right to health is not just a lofty ideal, it is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.