The Right to Health Protection and Medical Aid. International Law Aspects

Abstract

Health is increasingly seen as a key aspect of human security, and occupies a prominent place in debates on the priorities for development. This article contains an expert assessment of the current crisis in the sphere of health protection in Russia and proposals to tackle it over the next years, starting immediately. According to Article 25 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948 everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
The Constitution of the Russian Federation has proclaimed that everyone shall enjoy the right to health protection and medical aid. Medical aid in state and municipal health establishments shall be rendered to individuals gratis, at the expense of the corresponding budget, insurance contributions and other proceeds.
Main issues of the article are implementation of federal programs for protecting and improving the health of the population financed by the State; the necessity of measures to be adopted to develop state, municipal and private health services; promotion of activities which facilitate the improvement of health, the development of physical culture and sport, ecological and sanitary-epidemiological well-being.