Op Ed
Dr. Clement Peter- WHO Consultant – Liberia
The theme of this years’ World Well being Day, “My Well being, My Proper,” encourages us to scale back inequity and limitations affecting entry to well being companies wherever and every time folks want them. This theme resonates properly with the present inequities to accessing well being care globally, but in addition in least developed international locations together with Liberia. Marginalized and hard-to-reach communities typically undergo disproportionately. Therefore, to attain Common Well being Protection (UHC), we should depart nobody behind. Restricted entry to well being data, lifesaving well being care companies, important medicines and well being commodities, in addition to weak well being infrastructure have profound influence on the standard of well being care and its outcomes. The disparity in entry to well being care impacts and impacts closely on youngsters, adolescents and girls, particularly pregnant girls.
Many international locations together with Liberia have enshrined the proper to well being of their constitutions, a proper we should attempt to make a actuality for each citizen. Narrowing the inequity limitations is a step in the correct route to enhance well being and wellbeing of each citizen. This daring method will assist to scale back the unacceptable and preventable diseases and deaths that usually have an effect on youngsters and girls. For instance, Liberia declared maternal and neonatal mortality a public well being emergency virtually seven years in the past, however we’re nonetheless removed from considerably lowering the excessive deaths amongst neonates and girls, and likewise off-track in reaching the Sustainable Improvement Aim (goal). The nation continues to be challenged amongst others, with weak infrastructure affecting entry in rural communities, weak well being system, insufficient funding to the well being sector, and really restricted neighborhood insurance coverage scheme.
Well being is just not merely the absence of illness however a state of full bodily, psychological, and social well-being as outlined by the World Well being Group (WHO). It’s a human proper, as enshrined within the Common Declaration of Human Rights. Nonetheless, reaching well being fairness requires stable dedication in addressing the underlying social determinants of well being, together with poverty, inequality, infrastructure, training, and water and sanitation simply to say a couple of.
The shocks from the unprecedented Ebola Virus Illness (EVD) outbreak and the latest COVID-19 pandemic have additional exacerbated these disparities, highlighting the necessity for a extra complete, built-in and inclusive method to healthcare. Whereas the pandemic has examined the nation’s resilience, it has additionally underscored the significance of partnership, solidarity and collaboration in addressing international well being challenges.
Funding within the well being sector can’t be overemphasized as a result of well being is central to productiveness and growth. It’s pleasing to notice that the federal government of Liberia is within the course of of accelerating the finances allocation to well being, making it a precedence within the ARREST agenda. This motion is commendable. Significant funding on this sector stays paramount in reaching higher well being outcomes.
Reflecting on the theme of this 12 months’s World Well being Day, my consideration is drawn to a 16-year woman, Pamela (not her actual title) from Brewerville neighborhood, whose life modified following problems from tuberculosis, which affected her backbone and ultimately her potential to stroll. With no strolling aids, life turned for the more severe, as her mom needed to put in additional time to look after her daughter as a substitute of addressing different household wants and fascinating in growth work. The well timed provision of help to an individual in want generally is a sport changer. With assistive expertise help, it was superb to see the distinction crutches could make in a lifetime of such a possible woman. At this time Pamela is again in school, enjoying together with her associates like every other youngster, and scoring very excessive grades in class, making her second in school up to now semester. Pamela’s story speaks volumes of the numerous individuals dwelling with disabilities or virtually uncared for in Liberia who could not have had a chance to obtain the restricted assistive expertise provides or have entry to well being care when and the place they want it.
On this World Well being Day, allow us to make the dedication and paradigm shift to:
1. Prioritize investments in healthcare, guaranteeing equitable entry to important companies throughout the nation. Investing in healthcare infrastructure and strengthening the well being system is important.
2. Putting communities on the forefront within the planning and supply of well being companies. Participating communities on well being preventative measures, hygiene practices and empowering them to take possession of well being companies is vital.
3. Partnership, collaboration and solidarity are cardinal. WHO stays a dedicated companion to the federal government of Liberia in reaching the nationwide well being agenda and guaranteeing all Liberians obtain higher well being and wellbeing.
This 12 months, allow us to not simply have a good time the correct to well being, however actively work in the direction of its achievement. Allow us to be sure that each Liberian, no matter background or location, can entry the healthcare they deserve with out monetary hardship or discrimination. A wholesome Liberia is a thriving Liberia, and collectively, we will make it a reality- by selling and committing to common entry to well being care. My well being, your well being, our collective well being – is a proper to well being and wellbeing for all Liberians.
