Health for all: a fundamental human right!

On 12 December, we celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day. To mark the occasion, Overseas Social Security is giving the floor to Viva Salud. Viva Salud is a Belgian NGO affiliated with the OSS and whose social commitment we would like to honour here.
Viva Salud takes the view that every person and every community has a right to health. In addition to its team in Brussels, the NGO has employees in Kinshasa. With activities in Belgium and involvement in international networks such as the People's Health Movement, Viva Salud supports social groups in their fight for the right to health.

Health is a fundamental right

Health is a basic need that we all share. Health is also a fundamental right. A right that unfortunately is threatened for most people by poverty, inequality, exploitation and war with the people who are ready to denounce this reality coming under increasing pressure.

Viva Salud fights for the right to health and self-determined development. That is why we at Viva Salud support the development of strong social movements that defend the right to health in the Philippines, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere.

In the face of increasing global challenges, we are joining forces with our partners to organise campaigns and raise awareness of our demands. These focus on three key issues: a strong public health system, healthy working conditions and the crucial role of social movements in the fight for the right to health. Thus, we mobilise committed citizens, social movements and political decision-makers to stand up for the right to health worldwide.

Care in dealing with nursing staff

We are currently running a campaign under the slogan ‘Let's look after carers’ to call on politicians to invest more in a high-quality public healthcare system.

In the Philippines, our partners are supporting the adoption of a law to ensure a public, national, comprehensive and free healthcare system.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have analyzed the poor working conditions of nursing staff as well as their low wages. This situation prompts doctors to go abroad or switch to the private sector. However, the private sector only offers insecure contracts and makes medical care unaffordable for the majority of the population. Through an online campaign, our partners supported the doctors' strike movements. The objectives: Raise public awareness of the challenges faced by Congolese healthcare workers and put pressure on the government for better working conditions.

In Palestine, our partners are campaigning among other things for the mental health and empowerment of young people under occupation. They have also conducted studies showing the impact of the criminalisation of social organisations on the Palestinian population's right to health.

Finally, we have developed emergency measures for our partner organisations in the event of disasters or hazards, as has been the case in Gaza since October. On the day the war broke out, we launched a fundraising campaign to support our partner AWDA in view of the influx of injured people and the lack of water, electricity and medical equipment. We also spoke to our political leaders to advocate for a ceasefire and the protection of the civilian population.

Belgian social protection around the world

In addition to our colleagues in Brussels, our team also includes three expats: the coordinator of our local office in Kinshasa and two colleagues whose wives also work in development aid. We are thankful that the work and the OSS enable us to live our talents under good conditions on the other side of the world. All three are happy with the service and the security offered by the OSS. They very much appreciate the new portal that provides help with the reimbursement of treatment costs.

Would you like to find out more about this NGO? Visit us at www.vivasalud.be(New window)