World leaders at the World Health Organization have agreed for the first time ever to make sure that ordinary people, communities, and civil society have a say in how health decisions are made. This is a big deal because it means everyone can influence policies that affect their health and well-being.
They made this commitment because our health systems face big challenges like access to care, climate change, social inequalities, and not having enough healthcare workers. By involving the public more, experts believe we can improve our health systems a lot.
The resolution by the WHO sets out clear responsibilities for governments to fund and plan ways for people to participate in health decisions. It also makes sure that involving the public becomes a regular part of how health systems work, rather than just something done occasionally.
Governments now have to show progress every two years until 2030, which means they’re under pressure to act on this commitment. Experts say it’s important for everyone, especially those who struggle to get healthcare, to have a say in designing better health systems.
They also stress that health problems don’t stop at borders, so every country needs to work together. Sharing ideas, learning from each other, and building partnerships are key to making sure everyone can access good healthcare.
