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Health Care as a Human Right
Excellent health is the state of being in excellent physical and mental condition. There are five main types of health: social health, emotional health, physical health, spiritual health, and intellectual health (Ratner et al. pg. 280). Health is a key factor in a person's life since it protects the right to life. The former vice-chair of the House of Democratic Caucus, Shirley Chisholm, Once said that "Heath is a human right, not a privilege to be purchased." The discussion below clearly states that health should be a human right in the whole world. The factors discussed are that the right to health accommodates freedom and entitlement, and the right to health is comprehensive.
First is the fact that the right to health accommodates freedom and entitlement. Freedom in the fact the right will give one freedom to decline in situations where citizens of a nation are forced to receive medications they are not in knowledge of (Liebers et al. pg. 364). The other point is freedom because one cannot receive torture, harassment, or punishment in medications. In examples where the government may threaten a suspect to give information about an incident and administer drugs, they alone have medication in exchange for the information. According to health, this is an offense, and the responsible authority should be charged. Additionally, the right to health brings entitlement because one has a right to receive medicine and other health essentials (Donnelly et al. pg. 95). Besides, that one has a right to be protected from outbreak diseases and treated if, in any case, they are infected. The government also should control the incidence effectively. Due to these factors, health should be stated as a human right.
Secondly is the idea that the right to health is comprehensive. Most people understand the right to health as a right that ensures that hospitals and health services are offered to the citizens of a particular state (Bond et al. pg. 146). This argument is actual, but despite that health as a human right will boost the health sector, it covers other factors such as; the citizens of a particular have a right to have clean drinking water and proper sanitation. It acts as a preventive measure of health. The second factor is safe food. Also, a preventive measure since lack of clean and healthy food may result in nutritional diseases and conditions which relate to health.
Additionally, adequate housing for its citizens is another aspect. It means that every citizen has a right to a safe home to live in. Besides that, there are a healthy working environment and condition. It means that the government should review the working conditions and environment for private and public sectors. The fifth aspect is quality and affordable education. It improves the literacy level of a nation and improves the health sector's number of health workers. Lastly is gender equality since there are and will be gender-based situations that will require both genders to work together effectively.
On the contrary, most people against the law that health is instituted as a human right argue that it will not be a right but a responsibility (Yoder et al. pg. 25). They argue that it is a political form that will be instituted for some people's benefits, leaving those who need the service out. They discuss that there will be standards set that will limit and put out some people from having a taste of the right itself. Due to this, health will be a personal responsibility since it will lead to neglecting some people's health. In argument to this, the World Health Organization will facilitate the law's implementation and inspection of the proper beneficiary of the right. It will make sure that those in need will receive the services.
In conclusion, health should be a human right in the whole world. It is because health accommodates freedom and entitlement. Freedom in the fact the right will give one freedom to decline in situations where citizens of a nation are forced to receive medications they are not in knowledge of. Entitlement to the fact that one has a right to receive medicine and other health essentials. Besides, that is the idea that the right to health is comprehensive. It is because it will facilitate that there is safe and healthy water, food, and sanitation. It will also ensure adequate housing, healthy working conditions, and education. Lastly is that it will address the issue of gender equality. The opposite side of those who argue that health should not be instituted as a human right argue that it will not be a right but a responsibility. However, the World Health Organization will facilitate the law's implementation and inspection of the proper beneficiary of the right.
Reference
Donnelly, Jack. "6. The Relative Universality of Human Rights." Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice. Cornell University Press, 2013. 93-105.
Liebers, David T. "Health And Freedom: Book review of "Our Malady: Lessons In Liberty From A Hospital Diary. ".†(2021): 364-365.
Ratner, Pamela A., Joy L. Johnson, and Bonnie Jeffery. "Examining emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health as determinants of self-rated health status." American Journal of Health Promotion 12.4 (1998): 275-282.
Bond, Frank W. "Getting the balance right: the need for a comprehensive approach to occupational health." Work & Stress 18.2 (2004): 146-148.
Yoder, Scot D. "Individual responsibility for health: decision, not discovery." Hastings Center Report 32.2 (2002): 22-31.
