Today, the Council of Europe organised a Conference on the Protection of Health in Strasbourg. The event brought together governments' representatives, health experts and professionals, academics, and civil society to explore how health protection can be framed as a fundamental human right.
The conference opened with remarks by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Jo Étienne Abela, Malta’s Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Hans Kluge, Director for Europe of WHO Regional and Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control.
The president of ECSR, Aoife Nolan, in her keynote address focused on the European Social Charter, outlining how its framework provides both a legal anchor and normative guidance for health systems in Europe.
“The enjoyment of the right to health is a precondition for the enjoyment of all other human rights, whether social, civil, economic, political or cultural in nature. It is also fundamental to ensuring democracy in Europe. It is therefore vital that the CoE should push for Charter rights-based law, policy and budget-making so as to secure accessible, equitable and quality health protection for all.” - she said.
Throughout the day, four thematic sessions examined the Council of Europe’s role in the protection of health as a fundamental human right, including issues of accessibility and equality, quality and safety of medical products and care, and forward-looking challenges such as technology, disinformation, and health in crises.
The closing session brought together reflections on ways to strengthen health protection through cross-sectoral and rights‐based approaches.
The European Social Charter reminds us that the protection of health is not merely a policy choice, but a legal and moral obligation. It requires governments to ensure that every person enjoys conditions conducive to good health — through prevention, equality, and access to care.
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