(Last Updated on April 7, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – As the world commemorates World Health Day, a leading local human rights organisation has called for the accelerated and equitable roll-out of vaccines in every country.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the Covid-19 pandemic had revealed the massive global inequalities evidenced partly by the response capabilities to the pandemic.
“Coronavirus (Covid-19) has revealed the stark global inequality that exists with regards to access to quality health care. High-income countries that have robust health care systems, despite being harshly by Covid-19, have been able to respond to the pandemic through the manufacture and speedy rollout of the vaccine.
“In contrast, low-income nations with vulnerable less resilient systems, have borne the brunt of the suffering caused by the pandemic. This inequality of health outcomes highlights the need for all nations to cooperate on the manufacture of all vaccines and their distribution to all persons across the globe as soon as possible. The attainment of a society that is fairer and healthier is dependant on the collaboration of all nations in the fight against Covid-19,” said ZLHR.
ZLHR called upon state and non-state actors to rally behind the #VaccinEquity run by the World Health Organisation which is campaigning for the accelerated vaccination of health care workers and vulnerable groups include the elderly.
“On this World Health Day, ZLHR, calls upon State and non-State actors to commemorate the right to good health, by joining the World Health Organization (WHO) in calling for the acceleration of the manufacture and equitable vaccine rollout of vaccines in every country.
“Global, national and local leaders to ensure that vaccines are distributed everywhere. Companies to play their part in pushing for an acceleration in the manufacture and distribution of vaccines globally. State and non-state actors to donate to or support COVAX and Act Accelerator,” the statement further read.
ZLHR also urged the government of Zimbabwe to fulfil its obligation to take reasonable legislative and other measures that guarantee every citizen the right to healthcare as mandated by Section 76 (1) and 76 (2) of the Constitution.
World Health Day is celebrated on the 7th of April each year to highlight the shared global vision of a fairer world in which everyone has access to quality health care.