The Gambia National Human Rights Commission recognises the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose to the health sector and the health care delivery system and appreciates the efforts of the government in slowing down its devastating impact on the people, the Commission’s Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Jainaba John, said on Saturday.
She made the remark during celebration of ECOWAS human rights day on the theme: Promoting right to health education and opportunity to enjoy indigenous cultural health practices.
She urged the government to redouble its efforts in ensuring that the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society, especially the elderly, children, persons with disabilities, and prisoners, are cushioned against the effects of the pandemic.
“Right to health, in particular the enjoyment of the best attainable standard of health, is a fundamental human rights recognized in international human rights instruments which have been ratified by The Gambia.
“As it is at the core of the principle of indivisibility and interdependence of human rights, the fulfillment of the right to health enhances the enjoyment of all the other rights,” she said.
The Commissioner pointed out that this year’s theme, obligates the State, as the primary duty bearer, to intensify its right to health education promotion programmes and efforts and provide opportunities for the people to enjoy their indigenous cultural health practices.
“Health financing, an adequate, comprehensive, and systematic approach, is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of the right to health. The NHRC welcomes the proclamation of the Executive to introduce a national health insurance scheme that will avail the population access to quality health services with state support,” she noted.
