The Human Rights Council has appointed Mr. Dainius Puras as the next Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Mr. Puras takes over this post from Mr. Anand Grover whose term is set to expire later this summer.
Mr. Puras hails from Lithuania, where he completed a doctorate in medical sciences focusing on the needs of children with disabilities. He has been affiliated with Vilnius University since 1986, where he currently teaches courses on public mental health, child mental health and health policy. Mr. Puras has also published extensively in national and international journals on health and human rights-related issues, has worked directly with various UN human rights bodies and mechanisms and is a popular speaker at health and human rights conferences.
According to his application for the Special Rapporteur post, Mr. Puras has “a vision of how a twofold approach could be embraced by the UN Special Rapporteur. Firstly, it is fundamental to continue an effective promotion of right-to-health principles and values, such as non-discrimination, equality, participation, autonomy, transparency. Secondly, it is important to implement key right-to-health mechanisms, such as situation analysis, development of national strategies, monitoring and accountability.”
Regarding his particular expertise in mental health issues, Mr Puras says: “I have often observed that doctors and policy makers make decisions without consulting with patients and their family members. This mistake has led in numerous instances to sad consequences, amounting to grave violations of human rights. The need to apply modern human rights principles in healthcare practice remains important globally, and should be raised at the highest possible level. This is another important part of my motivation.”
However, Mr. Puras goes on to state that his expertise is “not limited to child health and mental health issues.” Other topics he mentions as areas of focus include “improving health care systems . . . reforming medical education and advocating for a modern public health approach.”
For more information on nomination, selection and appointment process for the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (and to see Mr. Puras’s full application), click here.