Public Health Programme

The Public Health Programme works to strengthen the capacity of marginalized populations to
advocate for better health policies and practices. JUHI also work to advocate for greater government
accountability in health care. The programme works in the following areas
a) Access to Medicines
Despite advances in medical science, affordable safe and effective medicines remain inaccessible
to many of people. JUHI support efforts to increase access to essential medicines for people,
especially for poor and marginalized populations.
b) Accountability in Health
Strong and independent citizens’ groups play an instrumental role in ensuring that government,
health care institutions, and health programs are held accountable to the communities they are
designed to serve. JUHI work to ensure that civil society groups have the information, skills, and
capacity to hold governments accountable for their actions.
c) Disability Rights
In truly inclusive democracies, persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with
others and fully participate in society. JUHI tackle deeply entrenched discriminatory laws, practices,
and attitudes that hinder full equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities in their communities.
d) Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is a range of evidence-based approaches that recognize that people unable or
unwilling to abstain from illicit drug use can still make positive choices to protect their own health in
addition to the health of their families and communities. JUHI advocate for policies and practices that
advance the health and human rights of people who use drugs.
e) Health Financing
JUHI work to ensure that funding for health is raised, allocated, and used in ways that meet the
health needs of marginalized persons. In particular, funding should be used to strengthen civil
society engagement in developing health policies that promote and respect human rights and lead to
greater accountability and transparency.
f) Health Media
JUHI’s aim is to advance the field of communication and media for advocacy on health and human
rights. JUHI support civil society groups to effectively use media to advocate on key health issues
that impact marginalized populations
g) Law and Health
JUHI promote societies in which the rule of law and respect for human rights safeguard the health of
all, especially the most vulnerable. This includes people living with HIV or tuberculosis, people
needing palliative care, people who use drugs, people with disabilities, prisoners, ethnic minorities,
sex workers, and sexual minorities.
h) Palliative Care
Palliative care is a holistic health care approach that improves the quality of life for patients and their
families by addressing the psychosocial, legal, and spiritual problems associated with life-threatening
illness. JUHI support efforts to make palliative care a sustainable, essential part of public health
systems
i) Sexual Health & Rights
JUHI work to ensure that people who are stigmatized because of their sexual practices, sexual
orientation, or gender identity have access to quality health and social services and can effectively
advocate for their rights.