On October 22nd, the Hon. Brien Horan, Senior Counsellor, addressed the Third Committee on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health.
Dr. Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, emphasized that health professionals are the backbone of every healthcare system and vital to peace, security, and sustainable development. Yet, across the globe, they face increasing violence, intimidation, and lack of protection, particularly in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and Syria.
The Special Rapporteur condemned ongoing attacks on medical facilities and the killing of more than 1,700 health workers in Gaza and dozens more in Sudan since 2024, calling for full accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. She urged States to guarantee the safety, independence, and medical neutrality of health workers and to uphold their obligations to protect healthcare in all circumstances.
Her statement also highlighted the structural inequities that persist within health systems, especially for marginalized populations. Dr. Mofokeng called for investment in public health infrastructure, the formalization of unpaid and informal care work, and the inclusion of health workers in policy-making processes. She stressed that the right to health must be grounded in equality, anti-discrimination, and an anti-colonial understanding of global health governance.
In closing, Dr. Mofokeng urged Member States to strengthen participation of health and care workers in decision-making on peace, security, and development, reaffirming that protecting those who protect others is essential to realizing the right to health.
Counsellor Brien Horan, reaffirmed that the right to health, both physical and mental, is a fundamental human right, one upon which all others depend. He warned that this right is too often the first to be violated and the last to be restored.
Counsellor Horan noted that war and disaster destroy not only hospitals but the systems that make healing possible, leaving survivors to carry both visible and invisible scars. Through its humanitarian relief agency, Malteser International, the Order of Malta supports medical and psychosocial care in crisis-affected regions.
In Ukraine, over 41,000 individuals have received psychosocial support, including psychological first aid, specialized mental health care, and social cohesion activities. In Uganda, where over four million people live with disabilities, often from preventable causes, the Order is working to strengthen the physiotherapy sector in partnership with local hospitals and associations, improving rehabilitation access and quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Counsellor Horan emphasized that fulfilling the right to health requires a comprehensive vision that integrates physical and mental well-being, addressing not only visible illness but also the silent epidemics of trauma, anxiety, and despair. He concluded with three imperatives:
- Rebuild and protect healthcare systems, without infrastructure, rights remain only promises.
- Destigmatize mental health and treat it as an integral part of the right to health.
- Ensure that psychological well-being stands alongside physical recovery as a measure of dignity restored.
The discussion reaffirmed that the protection of health workers and access to healthcare in times of crisis remain central to human dignity. The Sovereign Order of Malta continues to uphold this principle through its global mission of compassion, care, and respect for every human life.
