In an era where the right to health stands at the crossroads of global challenges and aspirations, World Health Day 2024 emerges as a pivotal moment for collective reflection and action. Across continents, the health and well-being of millions are compromised, not merely by diseases but by a confluence of disasters, conflicts, environmental degradation, and systemic inequities that impair the very foundation of human rights.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, we are witnessing a constellation of protracted humanitarian emergencies that pose severe challenges to health and well-being. Past conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt and current conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen have not only devastated infrastructures but have also led to the forced displacement of millions, weakening health system structures and catalyzing the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This situation is compounded by the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, which have emerged as a leading cause of premature mortality in the region. Furthermore, with more than a quarter of the population in five countries living below the international poverty line, the health disparities are stark. Life expectancy in the Region, at an average of 69.1 years, and healthy life expectancy, at 59.7 years, lag behind global averages, reflecting the urgent need for concerted efforts to address these multifaceted health challenges.

Despite the recognition of health as a fundamental human right, there exists a glaring gap between policy acknowledgment and practical implementation. This gap is evidenced by the alarming fact that in 2021, 4.5 billion people—more than half the world's population—lacked full coverage by essential health services. This discrepancy underscores a global shortcoming to enact and execute laws that ensure universal access to health services, revealing a critical area for immediate and focused action.

The theme for World Health Day 2024, "My Health, My Right," demands the absolute right of every individual, regardless of location or circumstance, to access quality health services and information. This right extends to the essentials of a healthy life: safe drinking water, clean air, nutritious food, quality housing, safe working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. These components are indispensable to the realization of health as a human right and are central to this year's theme.

As we commemorate World Health Day 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles in this year’s theme. Let this day serve as a steppingstone for change, inspiring actions that ensure health rights are upheld and protected. By embracing this theme, we are put on a path toward a future where health equity is not just an ideal, but a lived reality for all. The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, yet it is through our collective resolve and action that we can forge a healthier, more equitable world.

In this spirit of determination, let World Health Day 2024 be a turning point, a day when the global community comes together to declare unequivocally that health is a right, not a privilege. Together, we can and must build a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified life.