Country visits

Visits to countries and also to international organizations are an important component of the Special Rapporteur's mandate. The aim of such visits is to obtain first-hand information on the right to health, to report on his findings and to propose, in a spirit of cooperation and assistance, recommendations to improve situations identified as matters of concern.

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The Special Rapporteur is mandated to conduct official visits to States. For that purpose, 114 States have issued standing invitations to all Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. For others, the Special Rapporteur requests the Government to extend an invitation for a country visit.

The purpose of country visits

The purpose of the visit by the Special Rapporteur is to understand, in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue, how countries endeavours to implement the right to health, the measures taken for its successful realization, and the obstacles encountered.  During the visits, the Special Rapporteur considers issues related to the enjoyment of the right to health, including availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of health services, goods and facilities, as well as the underlying determinants of health in the country.

How long are the visits?

Visits usually take place over a period of between 10 and 14 days, with the exact duration often depending upon the size of the country, the nature of the visit, or the complexity of the issues to be addressed.

What happens during a country visit?

The Special Rapporteur often meets with the heads of State and of Government, relevant Government ministers, and representatives of national human rights institutions.  He also meets relevant United Nations agencies, international organisations, donors, national health professional associations, members of civil society organisations, and academic institutions. The Special Rapporteur usually starts a visit in the capital city and then continues to other cities or towns, as well as to rural areas of particular relevance to examining the situation those most excluded or marginalized.

What sorts of issues are discussed during a visit?

Some of the issues that are raised during such visits include: access to primary healthcare and universal health coverage; mental health; sexual and reproductive health rights; violence; and national healthcare systems.  The Special Rapporteur pays particular attention to populations and groups in situations of exclusion and vulnerability, including children; women and girls; migrants and refugees; persons with disabilities; LGBTI; persons living with HIV/AIDS; drug users; persons in detention; older persons; and so on.

What happens after the visit?

The last day in the country, the Special Rapporteur presents his preliminary observations to the media during a press conference, which generally takes place in the capital city.  A few months after each country visit, the Special Rapporteur releases a report about the realisation of the right to health in the country, including his main concerns and recommendations for action. The report is presented formally by the Special Rapporteur at the next June session of the Human Rights Council.

Dainius Puras (2014-present)

Anand Grover (2008-2014)

Paul Hunt (2002-2008)