Feb. 10, 2016 Africa Publication

Social solidarity and the right to health: essential elements for people-centred health systems

The right to health has been advanced as one of the key elements to creating pro-poor people-centred health systems (Hunt and Backman 2008; Gruskin et al. 2012). However, one of the challenges for realizing the right to health is the seeming conflict between public health utility and the entitlements afforded by a human rights approach to health. This dichotomy begs two sub-questions, both of which have relevance for building responsive health systems.

May 15, 2016 Europe Publication

Transforming integrated health service delivery in the WHO European Region

"Everything starts with people. Without people there is no health system." This sentiment was echoed in keynote presentations, illustrative country cases and expert interventions throughout the 2-day final consultation of the European Framework for Action on Integrated Health Services Delivery in discussions of entry points and processes for integrated health service delivery that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2-3 May 2016. The event marked the final step in the development of the Framework for Action, which is centred around four key domains: people, services, system and change. The European Framework for Action resulting from this consultation will be presented at the 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2016. It will represent a significant milestone in strengthening people-centred health systems in the European Region, as set out in Health 2020.

Sept. 12, 2023 Europe Publication

Towards an equitable people-centred health system for Spain

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Spain and its devastating effects on health and health care have been felt across various domains, including the social, economic, and political spheres. Among the sectors hardest hit were the health system and its dedicated health professionals. Consequently, there has been a growing recognition among the Spanish population that the health system, often regarded as an efficient and high-quality system, requires strengthening and modernisation.

Spain held its national elections on July 23, 2023, in a context of high polarisation of public opinion and absence of clear majorities of parties in the formation of the government. In these coming weeks, political parties are negotiating a programme for the next legislature and if they do not reach an agreement the elections will be repeated in January, 2024. Against a background of heightened political tensions and eroding trust in politicians and health systems, we ...