SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RIGHT TO HEALTH CONCLUDES VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE

23 December 2003


Paul Hunt, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the right to health, has concluded a mission to Mozambique that lasted from 15 to 19 December. The mission took place at the invitation of the Government.

The purpose of the mission was to consider how Mozambique endeavours to implement the right to health, the measures taken for its successful realization and the obstacles encountered, both at the national and international level.

During his visit, the Special Rapporteur met with high-level Government officials including the Minister of Health and the Minister for Women and Social Affairs Coordination, as well as senior representatives of the Ministries of Health, Planning and Finance, and Public Works and Housing. The Special Rapporteur held meetings with donors, representatives of United Nations agencies and several non-governmental organizations. He also met with people living with HIV/AIDS and the National AIDS Council. The Special Rapporteur visited hospitals and health centres in Maputo and in rural communities.

Several key issues were addressed during the course of the mission, including poverty reduction strategies and the right to health; access to health services, goods and facilities, in particular for vulnerable groups including rural communities; the role of bilateral and multilateral partners; and particular health challenges in Mozambique such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

Following the conclusion of his mission, the Special Rapporteur reported to the Minister of Health on his preliminary observations. He noted his high regard for the Government's policies in relation to poverty reduction and health, and commended the close cooperation between the Government and its bilateral and international partners.

The Special Rapporteur noted, however, that health indicators in Mozambique remain extremely weak and the barriers to realizing the right to health for those living in poverty are formidable.

He drew attention to the crucial importance of community participation and urged the Government and other actors to facilitate the active and informed participation of individuals and communities in the development and implementation of health policies.

"Community participation reflects the human right to participate. If the right to health, and related human rights, are integrated into the Government's policies, they will strengthen crucial elements of the Government's current strategies", observed the Special Rapporteur.

In relation to efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the Special Rapporteur stressed the importance of involving people affected by HIV/AIDS.

"I was shocked to hear first-hand of the extent of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Mozambique – people being rejected by their families and workers being fired from their jobs. To the Government's credit, anti-discrimination legislation is in place. It must be vigorously promoted and enforced. Non-discrimination is a vital feature of the human right to health."

The Special Rapporteur also highlighted the critical role of health professionals in promoting the right to health which is enshrined in the Constitution of Mozambique.

"The human right to health depends upon health professionals. Working closely with the international community, the Government has developed some excellent health policies. But these policies cannot be delivered without more doctors, nurses, health technicians and managers enjoying better terms and conditions. If Mozambique's Constitution, and the UN Millennium Declaration, are to become a reality, the Government - assisted by the international community - must devote a lot more resources to its health professionals."

The Special Rapporteur stressed that the right to health not only requires community participation, but also the transparent accountability of all actors.

The Special Rapporteur will report on his mission to the Commission on Human Rights at its sixtieth session in 2004.

The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to help States, and others, promote and protect the right to health. For further information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and copies of available reports, please consult the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
( http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mhealth.htm)