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Human rights
OpinionComment
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Volker Türk
Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusandVolker Türk

Opinion | A prescription for the world: stop putting wealth before health

  • The world is once again awash in war and crisis, and millions of people are being denied their basic right to healthcare
  • We must prioritise the well-being of the most vulnerable by promoting peace, preventing poverty and protecting those at greatest risk

Reading Time:4 minutes
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People walk amid rubble near the destroyed Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, in Palestine on November 29. Healthcare facilities and workers have come under attack in recent conflicts despite international laws meant to ensure their safety. Photo: dpa
Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusandVolker Türk

Seventy-five years ago, in the ashes of World War II and the unprecedented human suffering it caused, nations laid out a way to build “the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world” by ensuring the fundamental rights of everyone, everywhere.

This principle was captured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948. The World Health Organization was founded the same year, with its constitution enshrining health as “one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”.

On the 75th anniversaries of these monumental milestones, we should be celebrating the great strides made in advancing human rights and improving many vital health indicators.

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But as 2023 ends, the world is embroiled again in war and crisis. Conflicts in Gaza, Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine and Myanmar and beyond have caused unimaginable pain despite repeated calls to respect international humanitarian law.

Populations have struggled with the aftermath of earthquakes, floods and droughts made worse by the climate crisis. Health facilities and workers have been counted among the casualties of such crises, and far too many people have needlessly died or suffered catastrophic physical harm.

05:14

Hundreds killed in Gaza hospital blast, Israel and Hamas trade blame

Hundreds killed in Gaza hospital blast, Israel and Hamas trade blame

The anguish seen on our screens induces deep shock and anger. And yet these blood-soaked images are just the tip of an iceberg when it comes to even more pervasive infringements on the right to health for hundreds of millions.

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