MANILA, 7 April 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the global community in calling for the protection of rights of all people to equal opportunities and adequate access to essential services, in celebration of World Health Day today.
 
April 7^th of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages.
 
With the theme, “Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone,” this year’s celebration highlights the World Health Organization (WHO) 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.”
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest on those communities already facing significant risk and vulnerability to sudden systematic shocks. These communities are also less likely to have access to quality health care services and more likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented to contain the pandemic.
 
In data from the WHO, up to 60% of people living in the Western Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, lack coverage in terms of essential health services. More than 1 billion people living in informal settlements or ‘slums’ are facing increased challenges in preventing infection and transmission of the coronavirus.
 
At present, the country’s COVID-19 cases top 800,000. As daily cases continue to break previous records, the government imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region and its nearby provinces, affecting the livelihoods of millions.
 
With this, the CCC joins the call to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health, and that all people are able to access quality health services depending on their needs and values within their communities.
 
Moreover, the Commission encourages all Filipinos across the globe to amplify the importance of breaking all forms of gender, social, and health inequities to ensure inclusive recovery from emerging challenges like COVID-19, as well as increased resilience to disasters and climate-related risks.