A human rights framework applied to health system development

The health of the world’s developing countries is increasingly at risk.  We present evidence that these health risks are as much (or more) the result of national and international financial systems as they are the consequence of pathogens. We present evidence that the health of poor country populations requires redirection of donor resources back to the public sector.  Only governments have the responsibility and accountability to ensure public health systems are responsive to national and local priorities and accessible to all. Paul Hunt says, "It is only through strengthening public health systems that it will be possible to secure sustainable development, poverty reduction, improved health for individuals and populations, (and) the right to the highest attainable standard of health." A human rights approach requires governments to take necessary steps to prevent disease and moves on to require the government to assure the existence of health services that are available (including having sufficient staffing and supplies), are physically, geographically and financially accessible, are culturally acceptable to all, are of high quality, and are effective in meeting the needs of poor and vulnerable people. A recent Oxfam report, 'Paying for People' explains, "Current aid is failing poor people - only eight cents in the aid dollar are channeled into government plans that include the training and salaries of teachers and health workers." We will provide an overview of the issues (Hagopian), a discussion of Oxfam's forthcoming paper 'Blind Optimism', showing how the focus on private sector provision can undermine the capacity of the public sector to achieve universal access in low-income countries (Marriott), propose one solution, the NGO Code of Conduct (Johnson), and then offer an explanation of both how a human rights framework applies to health system development and why it makes such a large difference in potential outcomes (McCoy).