Sustainable development can only be achieved if women have autonomy over their bodies. It is only when women and girls across the region can make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, will they be able to lead a healthy and productive life.
Over a million positive cases of corona virus disease (COVID-19) have been reported worldwide (1,018,150 cases as on 3rd April 2020) with 53,251 untimely deaths. Corona virus disease (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. The United Nations health agency (World Health Organization – WHO) had declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020 (same day when first case of COVID-19 was reported in India). Later WHO declared it as a global pandemic. More worrying are warnings from epidemiologists who estimate that the trajectory of corona virus could peak furthermore in several countries in coming weeks/ months. This is undisputable now that COVID-19 pandemic has brought global health system on its knees while forcing massive disruption in global economy – even in richer nations with relatively better health security. How the ‘corporate world’ is impacted is just one side of the story in spotlight. But on other much bigger side, the lives of majority of our population, that strive to survive and make a daily living, is disrupted and at threat to face a humanitarian disaster in making – if urgent measures are not taken. Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of world’s top medical journal The Lancet, tweeted: “The countries that will be most resilient to COVID-19 will be those with the most universal, equitable, responsive, and well-financed health systems. Never have three simple words – health for all – meant so much.” The countries that will be most resilient to COVID-19 will be those with the most universal, equitable, responsive, and well-financed health systems. Never have three simple words—health for all—meant so much. — richard horton (@richardhorton1) March 24, 2020 COVID-19 is a wake-up call to reverse inequality and effectively address the mountainous challenge to “leave no one behind” in sustainable development. If we fail to do this, we will also fail on health security for all. With World Health Day theme being “Health For All” it is high time we walk-the-talk on health security and deliver on these promises for everyone, be it rich or the poor, urban or…
