The Pandemic World for the Vulnerable vis-a-vis Right to Health

The world was unprepared for a disease of this massive proportion that spread across borders and beyond oceans. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed multifarious pre-existing discrimination against the vulnerable groups. For some of them, it further exacerbated their sufferings which ranged previously from socio-economic, political to cultural in nature. It affected some parts of the population more than the others, this article addresses the impact on a broader range of vulnerable populations, including those who were struck worse than others such as the LGBTQIA+ community, who suffered economic issues like job loss higher than the heterosexual individuals and increased level of violence due to being homebound. In the conflict regions the law and order situation is chaotic and disruptive. There has been a shortage of healthcare facilities and with the rapid influx of patients & insufficient staffing, health care workers in these areas are overburdened. In the heavily packed camps and detention centres, combined with the ongoing problem of lack of hygiene and health resources, catered the spread of COVID-19 virus. Indigenous population have a dreadful pre-existing stigma attached to them which makes it difficult for them to seek the medical assistance required in times like this. The increased border restrictions have had an impact on migrant mobility, with some cases being reported of them being forced to walk to their native places, people living in extreme poverty. The elderly population, children, and adolescents are also one of the groups highly vulnerable to the virus. This article also discusses the universal right to health with special emphasis on these vulnerable groups. Right to health has been discussed through various International Conventions and Legal framework.