Unless we end inequities, we will fail to achieve Health for All

“EVERYONE is trying to apply the human rights lens. But unfortunately, on key matters of equity, many communities right now are in the rear-view mirror and not being observed through the lens of equity and human rights,” said Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization health emergencies program.

“This pandemic is uneven around the world and uneven in its impact. It has peeled away the bandages from old wounds of our society, and it has also revealed and driven new inequities. We are not doing a good job in ensuring that the basic human rights approaches are being upheld — right to access health and right to personal dignity. In some cases, Covid-19 has been used as a means of denying people their rights. Yes, we have seen great examples of community resilience and people and civil society organizations coming together in solidarity to fight this epidemic. But if we are to give grades on how we are doing in leaving no one behind right now, we get an F,” added Ryan, who also leads the team responsible for international containment and treatment of Covid-19.