Emphasising the importance of social accountability, international cooperation, universal health coverage, and the ethos of “no one left behind,” the forum saw the emergence of meaningful insights such as the notion that the right to health must not be sidelined in the implementation of the SDGs and that rights-based approaches are a vital means to ensure all human beings alike, regardless of health status, gender, or personal identity, without which the 2030 Development Agenda will not be implemented with the impact envisioned.
This one-day consultation was organized by KELIN, with support from the United Nations Special Rapporteur’s team from the Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, United Kingdom, and in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. Civil society and communities from a myriad of different strategic perspectives relating to health engaged in fruitful dialogue on country-specific and regional efforts towards realising the right to health in line with the SDGs.
Panel sessions featured experience-sharing from: health care professionals; civil society working on HIV, TB, palliative care, and physical and mental disability; civil society working on sexual and reproductive health and rights; civil society working the LGBTIQ community, people involved in sex work, and people who use drugs; and colleagues working on the cross-cutting areas of tax, corruption in the health sector, the right to information, and health budgeting.
The UN Special Rapporteur’s draft report, incorporating feedback and inputs gained from this forum, is to be finalised in July 2016 and made public prior to his presentation to the UN General Assembly in October 2016. Findings will be shared and circulated to CSOs to continue synergies and guide action and further advocacy.
To continue contributing to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @KELINKenya using these hashtags: #SDGs, #Right2Health, #Justice2Health, and #UHC4All
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information contact:
Allan Maleche
Executive Director,
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790; Cell +254708389870
Email: amaleche@kelinkenya.org
