Human rights are universal legal guarantees protecting
individuals and groups against actions and omissions that
interfere with fundamental freedoms, entitlements and hu-
man dignity. Human rights law obliges Governments (prin-
cipally) and other duty-bearers to do certain things and
prevents them from doing others.

Among the rights guaranteed to all human beings under in-
ternational treaties, without any discrimination on grounds
such as race, colour, sex, language, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status, are:
The right to life, liberty and security of person

• Freedom of association, expression, assembly and
  movement
  
• The right to the highest attainable standard of health
  
• Freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention
  
• The right to a fair trial
  
• The right to just and favourable working conditions
  
• The right to adequate food, housing and social
  security
  
• The right to education
  
• The right to equal protection of the law
  
• Freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy,
  family, home or correspondence
  

The World Health Organization defines "traditional medicine" as:

"Health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being."

The Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) of 1948 declares that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being”. It defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” and prohibits discrimination in its enjoyment.

The World Health Organization recognizes the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance as presenting a unique opportunity for the development and adoption of a new approach to addressing the health impact of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

A general comment on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, recently adopted by the Committee which monitors the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, enumerates the grounds for non-discrimination in health by proscribing “any discrimination in access to health care and the underlying determinants of health, as well as to means and entitlements for their procurement, on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, physical or mental disability, health status (including HIV/AIDS), sexual orientation, civil, political, social or other status, which has the intention or effect of nullifying or impairing the equal enjoyment or exercise of the right to health”.

At the International Conference on Primary Health Care, held in Alma-Ata, URSS, from 6 to 12 September 1978. Article I of the Declaration of Alma Ata declares that "health, which is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is a fundamental human right and that the attainment of the highest level of health is a most important world-wide social goal whose realization requires the action of many other social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector". The conceptual framework of Health for All, was started by this conference.

The Declaration stated that Primary Health Care (PHC) was the key to attaining Health for All. PHC was to be considered "essential health care which is to be made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community in ways accessible to them, through their full participation and at a cost that the community can afford".

PHC was to be equally applicable to all member states, although the way would be different accordingly to individual governments depending on the social and financial resources. When revisited some twenty five years later, it was apparent the goal was not reached, and in fact it was referred to as a failure. "Although we have yet to fulfill this commitment, we must not forget or abandon it. More than ever today, the cooperation of governments, international organizations, and health professionals is essential to provide the basic care to narrow the gap between developing and developed nations." (Statement of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978)

We believe in a fresh, new look at PHC should include at least the following seven elements:

(1) health education related to prevailing health problems and the methods of prevailing and controlling them;

(2) promotion of food supply and proper nutrition;

(3) provision of an adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation;

(4) maternal and child health care, including family planning;

(5) prevention and control of locally endemic diseases using nutrition and mineral medicines, e.g. iodine;

(6) first choice of natural, appropriate treatment of common ailments and injuries; and

(7) provision of essential botanical herbs and drugs.

MEMBERS SUPPORT OUR CLINICS FOR HUMANITY WHERE THESE PRINCIPLES ARE PROVEN.

A REGISTRY IS ESSENTIAL FOR PRESERVATION AND DISSEMINATION OF OUR GREAT ART.