The COVID-19 pandemic has made humanity acutely aware of the consequences of ignoring health systems strengthening and preparedness, Union Health Minister Harsha Vardhan said on Monday, adding that there wouldn't be a better future without healthcare for all.
Addressing the 147th session of the World Health Organization (WHO), Vardhan said in the times of global crisis like COVID-19, risk management and mitigation both would require further strengthening of global partnerships to re-invigorate interest and investment in global public health.
“All the member states of WHO share the same philosophy: Health above all,” the minister said.
“We at WHO believe in the principle 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. We, therefore, commit to work with the Member States; the Organization and the global community of partners for the efficient, effective and responsive discharge of public health obligations,” he said.
Vardhan said the WHO's constant engagement with each member state, their interface with each other as well as all stakeholders will reinforce reforms and help accelerate progress toward the sustainable development goals and universal health coverage with the most productive, efficient and targeted utilization of resources.
He said the South-East Asia Region and India are continuously striving to improve health services, their reach, delivery and quality. “We will continue to contribute to regional and global public health issues through advocacy, technical collaboration, research, innovations, digital health and partnerships aimed at improving the accessibility and affordability of health services and high-quality essential medicines and products,” he added.
Vardhan lauded WHO's efforts to work along with the member states to provide required technical assistance to support the continuation of essential health-care service delivery since the very beginning of the outbreak. The WHO and its member states are committed to harnessing this opportunity to build back health systems that are more resilient, and which can meet everyone’s health needs, he said.
“We are already identifying and acting on the lessons learnt from the current crisis so that together we can achieve more robust and resilient health systems that can promote a sustained economic recovery and a healthier future for people across the world,” the minister said.
