Statement by Shuli Davidovich
12 December 2011
Thank you, Madame President.
Let me begin by expressing Israel’s appreciation to the Secretary General for releasing this report on Global Health and Foreign Policy. It makes clear that each and every government has a responsibility to integrate the goals and objectives of global health into their foreign policy. These considerations must move to the forefront of the international agenda.
The linkage between health, prosperity and security is clear. Promoting global health helps to reduce poverty and inequality; advances stability and security; and lays the foundation for economic progress and growth. These issues are at the very core of the UN’s mission.
We must face health challenges together. Diseases do not discriminate. They do not know international borders. A health crisis in one country is easily spread to others in its region – and often, well beyond. Nations do not always have the capacity to deal with health crises on their own. Many of the greatest health issues that we face today are global in scope – and call for global responses.
Madame President,
Promoting good health has always been a priority for the State of Israel. It is one of Judaism’s guiding values. Three times a day, Jews around the world pray not only for their own health, but for the health of all people. Within the Jewish tradition, there is a clear directive that people must act to improve the health of all those around them.
This principle is clearly reflected in the State of Israel. At the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a significant national health infrastructure was already in place. We have focused on developing innovative and effective solutions to meet the range of health challenges facing our diverse population. In fact, Israel pioneered the practice of universal health care – and our system has been used as a model for many other countries.
For decades, Israel has provided our expertise, technology, medicine, and training to developing countries in the field of health. Much of this work is carried out by MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for Development Cooperation, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, civil society and the private sector.
Let me provide a few recent examples of this work.
Last spring, in partnership with the Government of Haiti, Israel constructed an emergency and trauma unit at the Hospital Justinien in Cap-Haitiën. In addition to providing all the medical equipment and financial support to create this unique center, Israel oversaw the specialized training of the health professionals who operate it. The unit has significantly increased the Haitian people’s access to high-quality medical care for trauma and other emergency medical needs. It will also provide important surge capacity in the unfortunate case of future disasters.
Israel is closely engaged in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in Ghana. We administer a network of community-based post-natal and healthy-baby clinics, which were initially developed for mothers and children in Israel. Known as Tipat Chalav, which is Hebrew for “drop of milk” – these clinics serve mothers and the babies for the first five years of the child’s life. They provide guidance for mothers and ensure that children receive all of their necessary immunizations, and monitor their development.
In 2012, Israel will establish a Dialysis Unit in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This project will save thousands of Dialysis patients from having to travel abroad for expensive medical treatment.
For more than 50 years, Israel has sponsored eye clinics in countries where health facilities are inadequate. Israeli ophthalmologists travel throughout the developing world to treat people who suffer from blindness and poor eyesight as a result of cataracts, malnutrition, trauma and infections. These clinics have been set up around the world – in Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Uzebekistan, and many others.
The Israeli government recognizes that building strong partnerships with civil society is essential for reaching global health goals. Israeli NGOs are extremely active in improving the health of people around the world. One of these organizations is Save a Child’s Heart, an NGO accredited to ECOSOC. In the past 15 years, this Israeli NGO has repaired the hearts of more than 2700 children suffering from rheumatic and congenital heart disease. These children are brought to Israel from all four corners of the world, a majority of them from the Middle East.
Madame President,
As a cosponsor of this important resolution, Israel will continue to play an active role in the debate about the intersection between global health and foreign policy. On this issue, the challenges before us are clear. The need for action is apparent. It is on our shoulders to breathe life into the words of the resolution before us. Together, let us pledge to improve the health of every family, every community, every nation – laying the foundation for a more secure, more prosperous, and more peaceful planet.
Thank you, Madame President.