In UN meeting, Brazil warns about the crisis in the health system

Representatives fear a collapse and shortage of medicines during the fight against Covid-19

On the morning of Thursday, April 9, an informal virtual meeting was staged between the UN Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. The debate addressed the respect for various types of rights during the Covid-19 pandemic. Brazil was present and it warned about the shortage of medical supplies and equipment and that access to these products will determine who survives and who does not.

In an oral statement, representatives of Brazil stressed the urgency of the health systems – which have faced collapse in many countries. “Without improving our preparation for health emergencies and creating resilience in our systems, we will not survive this or future pandemics. Much less defend the human right to health for all”.

Given the export restrictions, the Brazilians in the meeting expressed a great deal of concern over the difficulties obtaining essential medical supplies. “Access to these supplies will determine who lives and who dies. It is essential to guarantee the availability and access to treatments, vaccines and all medical products, equally and at affordable prices,” they said in the statement.

One of the topics considered urgent by the representatives is to improve the preparation for emergencies, through resilience in the health systems. If this is not done, they warn, it will be difficult to survive this or future pandemics. This will make them incapable of defending the right to health, especially for those in extreme need.

Conectas supported three statements made in conjunction with several civil society partners: one on civil and political rights, another on economic, social and cultural rights and one on the role of the United Nations and the need to guarantee spaces for participation.

 

> Read the full statement on Civil and Political Rights here

>> Read the full statement on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 

>>> Read the full statement on the role of the United Nations here