KATHMANDU, April 7: The Department of Health Services today issued an appeal, urging all the bodies concerned to cooperate with it to promote public health and ensure the citizens’ rights relating to health.

Describing health as one of the major agendas of multidimensional development, the Department made it clear that the citizens’ right to health could be ensured only through multilateral and multi-sectoral cooperation.

"The entire health-related bodies, international donor agencies, non-government organizations, public and private organizations must make further efforts, advocate and cooperate for enhancing the citizens’ rights relating to health," the Department said in a statement issued on the occasion of World Health Day today.

Expressing concerns over rising health challenges worldwide due to various diseases and pandemics, the Department stated that the citizens' right to clean air has been affected following growing environmental issues due to climate change and pollution.  In addition to this, the pressing issues like food security, access to safe drinking water, and sanitation have been largely challenged.  Climate change and pollution have caused adverse impacts on the overall environment.

"Pollution inside and outside homes claims the life of one person every five seconds," the Department said. 

The Department commits to increasing public access to healthcare services and promoting the sound mental health and overall well-being of the citizens, pointing out the need to further advocate and enhance public awareness for addressing issues of pure drinking water, clean air, nutrition, quality residence, equity and the freedom from discrimination.

Article 35 of the Constitution is about the citizens' rights relating to health which guarantees that every citizen shall have the right to free basic health services from the State, and no one shall be deprived of emergency health services, every person shall have the right to get information about his or her medical treatment, every citizen shall have equal access to health services, and every citizen shall have the right of access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

World Health Day is being observed today April 7 with the theme of 'My health, my right'.

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