Commonwealth Medical Trust statement at UN General Assembly Special Session in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Commonwealth Medical Trust (Commat) was one of only three NGOs[*] to speak in the general debate of the UN General Assembly Special Session in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (resumed session on 

In her statement, Marianne Haslegrave, Commat’s Director, highlighted not only the work of healthcare workers worldwide and those involved in the development of vaccines against COVID-19, but also the role of civil society organizations in post-pandemic recovery efforts. 

The coronavirus is “no respecter of persons”, taking a toll on the lives of women, as well as those of older persons and young people.

As she stated “Hard won gains of recent decades, in bringing down levels of maternal and child mortality have been set back, and access to services for sexual and reproductive health and rights hindered, leading to reduced antenatal care visits and access to contraception; and increased teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions.”

In the recovery, as well as a comprehensive paradigm shift, relying on adequate and equitable financing centred on the wellbeing of all, public health systems must be strengthened with essential medicines and treatments available. The “basics for life, including clean water, healthy planet and decent living conditions should be prerequisites in building a better future and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Full statement is attached below. 

The video recording of presentation is available here: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/general-assembly/watch/2nd-plenary-meeting-resumed-31st-special-session-of-the-general-assembly-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-pandemic-3-4-14-december-2020/6216288832001/?term=#t=2h21m15s

For further information, please contact: 

Marianne Haslegrave

Email: mh@commat.org

Tel: +44 7767 313032

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[*] The other two organizations are: International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. and United Cities and Local Governments

Commonwealth Medical Trust statement at UN General Assembly Special Session in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Marianne Haslegrave, Director, Commonwealth Medical Trust (Commat)

I am speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth Medical Trust, whose main aim is to promote health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. We greatly appreciate being invited to make a statement today. 

We wish to acknowledge healthcare workers worldwide, on the frontlines of the pandemic, and to thank all those involved in the unprecedented development of vaccines against COVID-19, in such a short time. 

As governments, civil society organizations, and communities, we must ensure that marginalized people, and those in the most vulnerable situations, are not left behind, while moving towards new systemic approaches, grounded in human rights and justice. 

The coronavirus is “no respecter of persons”, affecting and infecting people at all ages, at all levels of society. It has taken a particular toll on the lives of women, as front-line health workers, as carers, and as mothers. In addition domestic violence in lockdown situations has increased, as well as other form of violence, including cyber violence. 

Older people have been disproportionately affected. and discriminated against, suffering loneliness in care homes, or dying on a ventilator alone. 

Young people may have missed out on education with schools and universities closed, or they may be unable to find decent work. 

Hard won gains of recent decades, in bringing down levels of maternal and child mortality have been set back, and access to services for sexual and reproductive health and rights hindered, leading to reduced antenatal care visits and access to contraception, and to increased  teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortions. 

As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, it will be important to ensure a comprehensive paradigm shift, relying on adequate and equitable financing, centred on the wellbeing of all, including those living on ‘day wages’ in the informal sector, and those that are homeless. 

Public health systems must be strengthened, and essential medicines and treatments made available and accessible for all. Similarly, the basics for life, including clean water, healthy planet, and decent living conditions should be prerequisites in building a better future and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Thank you