Health care is a fundamental human need and a requirement for both social and economic development. However, the constitution of Pakistan does not list healthcare as a fundamental right. This indicates that the government is not legally obligated to provide affordable, accessible and respectful healthcare services to all citizens.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in light of the Covid-19 issue and Pakistan’s generally subpar health outcomes, has started a campaign to make the right to health a fundamental part of the constitution.
This is a serious omission that reflects the lack of political will and commitment to improve the health status of the population. Pakistan has some of the worst health indicators in the region and the world, such as high maternal and neonatal mortality, low immunization coverage, and persistent polio transmission. Many people suffer from preventable and treatable diseases, and face financial hardship and social stigma due to their health conditions.
There is an urgent need to recognize health as a fundamental human right in Pakistan, and to enshrine it in the constitution. This would make health a greater national priority and allow for a rights-based strategy that gives people the capacity to demand from the government high-quality healthcare. Additionally, it would make it easier to create laws and regulations that guarantee universal health coverage, enough funding for healthcare, accountability systems, and a transition from a curative to a preventative and promotive paradigm of health.
The right to reproductive healthcare, which is frequently disregarded and infringed in Pakistan, must be included in the definition of “right to health.” Family planning, risk-free childbirth, abortion treatment, STDs, gender-based violence, and other issues that impact women’s health and wellbeing are all included in reproductive healthcare. Recognizing and fulfilling this right would not only improve women’s health outcomes, but also their social and economic status in society.
Every citizen deserves access to healthcare, which is a basic human right rather than a privilege or a charitable act. It is time for Pakistan to join the 120 or more nations that have enshrined this right in law and to take decisive action to guarantee that it is carried out. This would be a significant step towards achieving the sustainable development goals, and ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for all Pakistanis.
