TEHRAN –Health is a universal right and responsibility that is not limited to any specific age group, culture, or nationality, Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has said.

All members of society from their childhood to old age have the right to access high-quality health services without financial worries.

Access to clean drinking water, soil, air, and food is a fundamental right and responsibility, the Health Ministry’s website quoted Einollahi as saying.

He made the remarks on the occasion of World Health Day 2024, calling upon decision-makers to create conducive environments for individuals to actively participate in creating and maintaining health, from home to the community and the environment.

He went on to say that the family health program and referral system in Iran is one of the most advanced health programs in the world. It aims to enhance everyone’s access to health services, promote well-being, and achieve significant welfare objectives.  

Launched last year, the program seeks to foster a healthy, vibrant society through national and collective efforts at all levels of society.

The upcoming National Health Week, scheduled from April 20 –26, will set health priorities for the next year in alignment with the national plans and priorities.

Under the theme of ‘Popularization of family health’, the week will stress the right and responsibility of all individuals to universal health coverage clarifying key concepts and collective duties in achieving this goal.

World Health Day 2024

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat.

Diseases and disasters loom large as causes of death and disability.

Conflicts are devastating lives, causing death, pain, hunger and psychological distress.

The burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously driving the climate crisis and taking away our right to breathe clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollution claiming a life every 5 seconds.

The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. This underpins the fact that at least 4.5 billion people — more than half of the world’s population — were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.

To address these types of challenges, the theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’.

This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.

Family health program and referral system

Family Health Program and the Electronic Referral System prioritize the involvement of individuals, aiming to enhance community health literacy and empower individuals in overseeing the healthcare system. 

People are encouraged to actively engage in assessing community needs, promoting health education, supporting local health priorities, and assisting in healthcare provision. 

By fostering active partnerships, creating effective support networks, and prompting sustainable interventions, individuals play a vital role in maintaining and promoting community health.

The alignment between the Family Health Program and the social determinants of health hinges on knowledge, comprehension, and action. 

This progeria underscores and tackles the influence of social determinants on family health through collaborative endeavors, supportive policies, and a holistic approach aimed at fostering equity, health interventions, and community resources to bolster health and well-being.

Certainly, ongoing monitoring and regular evaluation are indispensable elements of the Family Health Program. 

Employing a systematic approach to assess performance, measure implementation and impact, enhance quality, and ensure accountability in delivering compressive healthcare services to families is crucial for the success of the Family Health Program and the referral system.