International Health Regulations and Role of State to Protect Health in India with Special Reference to International Health Regulation 2005: a Critical Study

Abstract

The apt observation by the great philosopher of India, Mahatma Gadhi emphasizes the importance of health and healthy person. The health of any nation is dependent on health of individual and society. The protection of public health is responsibility of state. It ensures the physical and mental wellbeing of individual to enjoy the life to fullest extent. The ill health is root cause for many problems including dirt, disease, poverty etc. The right to health is one of the cherished rights recognized and protected at national and international level. It is responsibility of state to enable every individual to protect health of individual.. There are several international instruments provided for regulation of regulation of health of individual. The International Health Regulations 2005 is adopted by World Health Assembly. It specifically provides for responsibility of state to develop capacity to detect, protect and to respond the public health crisis and risks. It also requires the state to coordinate with WHO on any issue on concern on public health which may create danger to world health. The recent example of CORONA emerged as challenge before the public health which is tackled with coordination and cooperation The present research explores the international health regulation and duties of state with special reference to public health in India. The International treaties and pacts are binding on state once it is signed by state. The signatory state shall implement the obligations created by it. India is signatory to many instruments. This research further explored the laws and measures and health system provided by India for implementation of international health standard as provided by international health regulation. The research critically examined the loopholes in implementation of such regulations. The research concludes that IHR is crucial initiative by WHO to disease surveillance and prevent disease outbreak endangering world health. It suggests that government must strengthen public health system in coordination with organizations like WHO.