Heads of State from around the world will evaluate, this Wednesday (20), in Rio de Janeiro, the final document that will serve as a basis to the countries that would make commitments on issues related to sustainable development. Among the more than 200 articles in the text, eight deal specifically with health.

"The public health policies contribute for the human being to be at the center of the development agenda in any country. And having a public health system exceeds the individual right of every citizen. It allows and requires that the organization of the environment and the urban spaces put the defense of life in the regulations of healthier cities ", evaluates the Health Minister Alexandre Padilha.

According to the text, the countries that sign up for the commitment should recognize health as an indicator of sustainability, developing public policies similar to those already adopted by Brazil through SUS (Unified Health System).

The document points out, for instance, the fight against diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, influenza and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, serious global concerns and it states that it is needed to redouble efforts to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support.

According to Mr. Padilha, "Brazil, over the years, has contributed to a great experience offering free health care, comprehensive and universal. This has direct impact on sustainable development, because it generates a mobilization between the government in partnership with civil society to put the defense of life in planning and in policy efforts in strategic decisions."

Another example is the commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality, which is the main goal of the Federal Government’s priority policy “Rede Cegonha” (Program operated through SUS to assure maternal and child care throughout the country). "Working actively to ensure that health systems provide necessary information and services addressing sexual and reproductive health of women," states the document.

"The goals of sustainable development can only be achieved from the reduction of these diseases, leading to people's physical, mental and social well-being," states the document. In another article, conference participants recognized that the reduction of air, water and chemical pollution can have positive effects on health.

Since the Rio 92 Conference, Brazil expanded access to primary health care, which jumped from a 3% coverage in 1992 to approximately 63% in 2012. "There is no doubt that SUS has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life of the population. Therefore, the Rio+20 Conference is an opportunity to expand the commitments agenda also within the health sector" says Guilherme Franco Netto, director of the Department of Surveillance in Environmental and Occupational Health.

The final text also calls for the signatory countries to collaborate to strengthen health systems, increasing funding and workforce in the sector. The distribution of safe medicine and the expansion of access to vaccines and medical technology are also strategic actions described by the representatives of countries.