This April 7, 2021, World Health Day, the María Cano University Foundation invites you to join this campaign promoted by the WHO, to build a fairer and healthier world. Covid-19 has shown us how fragile we are since it has exposed us to a new reality, the pandemic generated a trail of death around the world, has destroyed families and has affected our economy. For this reason, humanity and all states are called to generate opportunities for all, increasing the chances of building a better, just and healthy world.

Two evils threaten our society: inequality and inequity. It is sad to see the contrast between extreme poverty and extreme wealth that is manifested in waste and opulence and the shortcomings of the poorest, today it could be said that we are a world in which the story of Robin Hood repeats itself, but reversed and seen from another angle, the rich rob the poor to satisfy their greed and self-centeredness. We are in an ethically and morally prejudiced society, where inequality and inequity are stones in the shoe that prevent us from walking fast. Everything that has happened with covid-19 has made something very clear to us and that is that this situation must change.

It was magnificent to see how our planet took a breath, which gave us a sign that it is possible to conserve and protect it; so that future generations can enjoy the resources that our planet offers us; before a planet clean, healthy and fit to live. According to the Secretary of the United Nations, António Guterres “We must build a more just and egalitarian world, without wars or hunger, in pursuit of a better world. These are some of the foundations on which the 2030 agenda for a sustainable world rests that should guide global development policies for the next 15 years and world leaders committed themselves during the United Nations General Assembly ”.

The country where we live has high levels of inequity and there are people in situations of extreme poverty who do not have access to an adequate health system, it is important to remember that the solution to this serious problem that we are facing as a society must be based from social, economic and public health aspects. The health of the population and social well-being must be prioritized.

It is vitally important to design education and social inclusion policies that allow equity in all sectors of society and that improve the quality of life of people living in situations of extreme poverty. The development of these policies today also faces, an additional obstacle that complicates the tasks of the experts. This obstacle lies in the loss of confidence in the institutions that affects many of our countries, a loss of confidence that makes it difficult to undertake changes that mean an increase in resources to finance public policies and strengthen institutions.

As health professionals and Health Services Administration Specialists, we must ensure the provision of a fair and equitable health service and so that people without any degree of differentiation have access to said services.

Jorge Ivan Get up Angel
Specialization Coordinator in Health Services Administration