Recipients: 2nd year UCP Medicine students, open to the whole community
The seminar entitled “The Role of Law in Protecting the Right to Health: How to Promote Health Justice through Law and Human Rights” will address how legislation and human rights can influence the protection of the right to health.
The importance of equitable and fair health policies will be discussed, as well as the implementation of these policies in Portugal and the European Union, knowing that in Portugal, the right to health protection is enshrined in Article 64 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, which establishes that everyone has the right to health protection and that the State must guarantee this right through a universal and tendentially free National Health Service (SNS).
The Basic Health Law (Law 95/2019) also reinforces this commitment, highlighting the importance of creating economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions that promote health and well-being. The SNS, one of the fundamental pillars of Portuguese democracy, ensures that all citizens have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their economic condition
At the same time, the private health system has been playing a progressively more prominent role in guaranteeing health care, posing challenges and opportunities for everyone.
The students of the Health Law Curricular Unit and the entire audience will have the opportunity to debate and understand the fundamental principles of the Right to Health and children's rights in the context of health, both in Portugal and in Europe. In addition, they will critically reflect on the role of future doctors and other health professionals in defending the Right to Health and respect for people. The seminar will also highlight the importance of professional responsibility and active citizenship, encouraging participants to become actively involved in the creation and implementation of health policies that promote social inclusion and reduce inequalities.
To present and debate these topics we have:
Paulo Pinto de Albuquerque | Maria de Belém Roseira | Rafael Vale e Reis
Leonor Rossi | Georgina Couto
Katerine Littler (WHO, on-line, tbc)
Opening Session: António Medina de Almeida
Moderator: Mara de Sousa Freitas and Catarina Fernandes
In this seminar, we intend to discuss:
What are the main legal challenges in protecting health rights in Portugal and the European Union? | How can national and European legislation be improved to ensure more equitable access to health services? | What is the role of human rights in promoting justice in health? | How can the jurisdiction of health impact on access to treatments and medicines and the doctor-patient relationship? What are the main barriers faced by vulnerable groups in accessing health care? | What are the fundamental principles of children's rights in the context of health and how can they be applied in medical practice?
And also:
How can public policies be developed to reduce health inequalities? |How can the National Health Service (SNS) and the private health system collaborate to guarantee quality health care for all? | How can future doctors contribute to defending the Right to Health and promote professional responsibility and social inclusion through health policies? | What are examples of good practices in other countries that could be applied in Portugal? | How can collaboration between different sectors (health, justice, education) promote justice in health?
