On the 3rd anniversary of the pandemic—health advocates denounce the failed, repressive, and negligent pandemic response and demand a free, comprehensive national public health system based on human rights and equity as the new normal

After three years, over 66 million lives and many more livelihoods have been lost to the pandemic, yet many countries, including the Philippines, have yet to learn from the difficult lessons for which all of us paid so dearly. According to the People’s Vaccine Alliance-Asia, such dismal statistics translates to a COVID-19 death every 24 seconds—though most could probably have been prevented or treated, had more people across the world been able to access the necessary diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines sooner rather than later.

“Instead of ensuring health as a human right of all in the middle of a major public health crisis, it seemed like the priority was on enforcing ‘discipline’ on the population while enabling profits by global monopolies,” said Dr. Joshua San Pedro, co-convenor of the Coalition for People’s Right to Health.

Dr. San Pedro stated that the prolonged lockdowns that the Philippines had gone through resulted in numerous human rights violations and the worsening of health outcomes. “And yet,” he went on, “the country’s leadership continues to neglect the state of public health as it regresses to the ‘old normal’ wherein being healthy remains a privilege.”

Amid international developments on the matter of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, CPRH and Dr. San Pedro believe that Filipinos are in an important position to speak about the need for health and vaccine equity as well as respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights.

However, as long as the government disdains accountability and refuses to recognize the mistakes committed against the people, it becomes a greater responsibility of the broader public to remember what was lost and demand for a genuine right to health in a better normal.

On the 3rd anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, CPRH is in solidarity with the People’s Vaccine Alliance in its Week of Action in calling for a much-needed paradigm shift. Asserting that “never again shall a tragedy like this pandemic be repeated,” the Coalition will make their voices heard at the Department of Health in demanding the following:

1. End the failed, repressive, and negligent COVID-19 pandemic response. Hold accountable all those involved in the abuse of emergency powers that resulted to gross human rights violations.

2. Ensure that basic health services are accessed by all, especially the poor, including diagnostic tests, medicines, vaccines, and other COVID-19 technologies being made free and available.

3. Cease the practice of profiteering from public health, end COVID-19 monopolies, and develop a self-reliant national drug industry that is responsive to the health needs of the people.

4. Adequately fund public health for the establishment of a free, comprehensive, and progressive national public health system as an integral part of pandemic recovery.

5. Respect, promote and protect the people’s right to health in all endeavors, local or international.