Vatican diplomat calls universal health care a moral imperative at UN

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, described universal health care as a ‘moral imperative’ during a United Nations High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York during the 81st General Assembly, Parolin emphasized that the Holy See continues to advocate for equitable access to medical advancements.

Parolin noted that the lack of accessibility to scientific and technological medical advances was clearly demonstrated during the recent pandemic. He argued that failing to bridge this gap will hinder the ability to prevent and respond to future public health emergencies. To effectively address these risks, he stressed the necessity of tackling underlying issues such as poverty, inadequate living conditions, and the lack of basic healthcare.

Global statistics cited during the discussions indicate that approximately 826 million people live in poverty, and an estimated 4.6 billion people lack access to essential health services.