Healthcare as a Human Right

This year, the Human Rights Council of the Harvard National Model United Nations is focusing on the idea of healthcare as a human right. In many developing countries, the lack of the right to healthcare remains a pressing issue.

The idea of healthcare being a fundamental right was first recognized in the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO). It established health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” and emphasized that “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.”

Moreover the Committee of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has stated that “Health is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living a life in dignity.”

There is a link between the right to health and several other human rights. It is possible that the violation of the right to health may negatively affect other human rights. Moreover, it is important to examine the different types of healthcare that certain groups may need. For instance, women’s health is significantly intertwined with gender inequality. Violence against women is an important issue that can affect a woman’s health. Likewise, children, people with disabilities, migrants, and other groups may require specific healthcare services to cater to their specific needs. 

States are obligated to protect and promote human rights. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has recognized that States have a core minimum obligation in terms of human rights. In regards to health, this includes: the right of access to health facilities, goods and services on a non-discriminatory basis, especially for vulnerable or marginalized groups; access to the minimum essential food which is nutritionally adequate and safe; access to shelter, housing and sanitation and an adequate supply of safe drinking water; the provision of essential drugs; equitable distribution of all health facilities, goods and services.

Best,

Corine Chung

Assistant Director