By Katherine Pettus, PhD
IAHPC Advocacy Officer
Dr. Rosa Kornfield Matte, a Chilean gerontologist, is the new Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons (HROP). Ms. Kornfeld-Matte served as the National Director of the Chilean National Service of Ageing where she designed and implemented the National Policy of Ageing. She has a long career as an academic and is the founder of the program for older persons at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Detailed information about her mandate.
In brief, Dr. Kornfield Matte, or Rosita, as she prefers to be called, will prepare thematic reports to deliver to the Human Rights Council in Geneva - thematic reports are those that focus on a particular topic, such elder abuse. She also will provide country reports, following her visits to designated countries that either have model programs that she would like to highlight and have other countries replicate, or to countries that are having trouble drafting or implementing existing law to protect the rights of older people. The Independent Expert can only visit countries that invite her, and she can request to visit, but if her request is denied, she cannot impose herself.
Rosa Kornfield Matte (right) and Silvia Perel Levin
Rosita emphasized in her meetings with the Geneva NGO Group on Ageing at the HRC, that she really wants to work with civil society groups that work with the elderly, and not just with official channels. In our small roundtable, Chair Silvia Perel Levin asked her how she plans to contact, interact with, and then take up the suggestions and input of civil society groups. Rosa replied that she would use a mixture of methodologies to ensure that she amplifies the voice of the elderly themselves, and maximizes their right to participation, which is often denied them by well-meaning family members and societies who prefer to make decisions for them.
Rosita cited the following priorities in our private meeting:
Stay tuned for reports on country visits and other updates from the Independent expert.
See for a story on Rosa’s first report to the HRC and Item A/HRC/27/46 for a text of the full report.
Katherine Pettus, PhD (Hungary)
Dr. Pettus is the IAHPC Advocacy Officer for Human Rights and Palliative Care and serves as the IAHPC liaison to the International Drug Policy Consortium and the Vienna NGO Coalition on Drugs. Read her bio.
By Ebtesam Ahmed, Pharm.D, M.S., an IAHPC Member
On the 10th and 11th of July, the UN General Assembly convened in New York City to discuss and review the state of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) internationally. Countries and NGOs in formal relations with the UN bodies, were represented as a snap-shot from all over the world. I had the honor of participate in this meeting representing IAHPC.
The main goal of this special meeting was to address the unfortunate increase in NCDs, and on the contrary how to prevent the spread of them and their devastating outcomes. Speaking on behalf of civil society was Dr. Tezer Kutluk, a pediatric oncologist and the President-elect of the International Union Against Cancer, while reports were presented by a representative of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the WHO Director General Margaret Chan and UN Development Program Administrator Helen Clark. The predominant theme amongst all of the moderators was making NCDs a focus of the 2015 development agenda, as well as bringing to light the resource gaps.
In Professor Kutluk’s speech to the UN, he emphasized the global commitment to focus on NCDs, in the hope of ensuring that our children of the future will live healthier and have access to treatment. He highlights that many countries do not have access to palliative care, and that this should be incorporated into every health care system, as “health is a basic human right,” particularly for our younger generation. He concluded his speech with urging all governments of the world to incorporate NCD programs into their health care systems, and poignantly summarized: “Action is not an option, it is an imperative.”
Member states were given the opportunity to make statements regarding their individual country’s commitment to making NCDs part of their agenda. Australia’s government was brazen enough to call for improved access to opioids, pain relief, and palliative care.
An important conclusion of the first day was that the Outcome Document was adopted, which essentially reiterates the global community’s commitment to prioritizing NCDs as part of their agendas.
On day two of the NCD Review there were two panel presentations: one on strengthening national and regional capabilities and a second on fostering and strengthening national, regional, and international partnerships and cooperation.
The last part of the convention focused on strengthening and incorporating international partnerships. The government of Kenya reiterated we need affordable medicine for NCDs including palliative care. The overwhelming call for international cooperation in the NCD sector is clear motive for palliative care advocates all over the world to collaborate with those in charge of overseeing NCD politics. Palliative care is an essential component to addressing NCDs, whether in prevention, procurement of resources, or treatment.
Ebtesam Ahmed, Pharm.D, M.S.
Associate Clinical Professor
St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care
[email protected]
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