Health Ethics, Equity and Human Dignity
by Mamdouh Gabr, Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
In UNESCO EOLSS

Summary

Ethics in health evolved through several phases during the last few decades; traditional ethics, bioethics, health policy ethics and ethics in relation to human rights. Equity which has to do with a fair distribution of benefits from health and social development is defined in various ways. There are two views on achieving equity, the solidarity approach and the individual right approach. The last can only be achieved in wealthy politically stable communities. A balance has to be established between the two approaches. With the promotion of human rights gaining momentum in recent years; there is a need to review ethical principles in health to ensure that human rights and dignity are fully respected. The health sector has the obligation of considering the ethical dimensions of the major determinants of health. These include the political system, economic situation, demographic changes, cultural diversity, role of women, global ecosystem sustainability, technological advances and the changing pattern of disease. As we start the third millennium, social mobilization in support of health ethics, equity and human dignity is a responsibility of the academic and advocacy groups involved in ethics and human rights. An ethical culture should be developed at the national level.

Institutionalization of health ethics is required. New, sensitive, reliable indicators and a vigilance system to monitor inequalities in health care, and abuse or neglect of human rights are to be developed. This can be achieved through innovative research and fostering international cooperation. It is hoped that the twenty-first century will be characterized by wisdom with which acquired knowledge will be applied with equity.

Please see the entire article at http://www.humiliationstudies.org/documents/GabrHealthEthics.pdf