UN EXPERT ON RIGHT TO HEALTH VISITING POLAND FROM 5 TO 11 MAY

5 May 2009


GENEVA -- Anand Grover, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, is undertaking a mission to Poland from 5 to 11 May 2009. The Special Rapporteur is visiting Poland at the invitation of the Government.

During his visit, the Special Rapporteur will consider how Poland endeavours to implement the right to health, the measures taken for its successful realization and the obstacles encountered, both at the national and international levels. The Special Rapporteur will focus on the right to health in Poland, including access to health care and underlying determinants of health, sexual and reproductive health rights and harm reduction policies.

The Special Rapporteur will meet with Government officials and members of Parliament, as well as with civil society representatives, including non-governmental organizations and academics. He will present a report on his mission to the Human Rights Council at its fourteenth session.

The Special Rapporteur will host a press conference to share his preliminary conclusions on the visit at 12:00 am on Monday, 11 May, at the UN Information Centre in Warsaw, Al. Niepodleglosci 186.

The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to help States, and others, promote and protect the right to the highest attainable standard of 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.ohchr.org/english/issues/health/right/index.htm)
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For use of the information media; not an official record