HUMAN RIGHTS AND LYMPHEDEMA, LIPEDEMA, AND CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY - WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - Health Care for Persons with Disabilities - Organic and Physical Disability - Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema - Secondary Lymphedema - Lymphatic Filariasis/Podoconiosis - Awareness Campaign

Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December, and remembers the day the General Assembly of the UN adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

It is recognized internationally that the principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law. People of all nations are equally entitled to their human rights, which are emphasized in international human rights conventions, declarations, and resolutions. With regard to human rights to health care, it is important to underline the specific medical necessities related to lymphatic dysfunction (lymphedema) as an organic disability, as well as those for lipedema and chronic venous insufficiency, and to take into consideration the numerous population who suffer these diseases, englobing children and old age people too.

Due to the present-day non-treatment, undertreatment, or incorrect management of many patients suffering from lymphedema, lipedema, or chronic venous insufficiency, it is important to review what international laws say about the human right to health care. This point is clearly stated in the following references:

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (Article 25)

States Parties recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure access for persons with disabilities to health services that are gender-sensitive, including health-related rehabilitation. In particular, States Parties shall:

• Provide persons with disabilities with the same range, quality, and standard of free or affordable health care and programs as provided to other persons, including in the area of sexual and reproductive health and population-based public health programs.
• Provide those health services needed by persons with disabilities specifically because of their disabilities, including early identification and intervention as appropriate, and services designed to minimize and prevent further disabilities, including among children and older persons.
• Provide these health services as close as possible to people’s own communities, including in rural areas.
• Require health professionals to provide care of the same quality to persons with disabilities as to others, including on the basis of free and informed consent by, inter alia, raising awareness of the human rights, dignity, autonomy, and needs of persons with disabilities through training and the promulgation of ethical standards for public and private health care.
• Prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health insurance and life insurance where such insurance is permitted by national law, which shall be provided in a fair and reasonable manner.
• Prevent discriminatory denial of health care or health services or food and fluids on the basis of disability.

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (Article 24)

1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.
2. States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures:

• (b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with an emphasis on the development of primary health care.

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (Article 25)

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Read more information about the best treatment for lymphoedema HERE, about Lipedema treatment HERE, and treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency HERE.

National health systems should contribute to increasing the economic investment for the coverage of clinical care and compression garments for established lymphatic dysfunction, lipedema, and chronic venous insufficiency, thus optimizing health-related actions and resources in the long run. Without improved health care coverage, the frequency of individuals suffering and exhibiting manifestations of the Elephantiasis Stage will continue to increase worldwide.

References:

• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 25)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 24)
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( Article 25)