About the Author
Shahid Ullah is a passionate MSc Nursing student at AKU-SONAM with a BScN from Dow University and registered nurse credentials in Pakistan. He has clinical experience in ICU and emergency care from top hospitals, including Aga Khan and Shaukat Khanum. Certified in BLS, ACLS, and infection control, Shahid also served as a nursing lecturer and instructor. He is committed to patient-centered care, nursing education, and advancing healthcare through compassion and evidence-based practice.
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: A Cornerstone for Global Health Equity
In times of increasing government stress, enforced displacement, and democratic impairment, SDG 16 Global Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions has become more essential than ever. This objective aims to decrease violence, guarantee access to justice, and establish accountable institutions across all levels. However, in numerous low and middle-income countries, corruption, weak rule of law, and ongoing conflicts continue to destroy development and health equity. Multicultural communities, particularly minorities and refugees, bear the most significant impact of systemic exclusion and violence. To adopt healthy, peaceful societies, public institutions need to be transparent, inclusive, and representative.
Our health systems cannot run without the trust of the public. In weak countries, corruption in healthcare sourcing or purchasing, human rights violations, and a lack of legal protections for borderline communities result in adverse health outcomes. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nations with weaker institutions experienced raised mortality rates, misinformation, and unequal vaccine distribution. (Bayati et al., 2022). Recent research indicates that political stability and judicial freedom play an important role in shaping public health investment and readiness for pandemics. (Hope Sr, 2023). Technological innovations like block chain for maintaining public records or AI in anti-corruption initiatives hold the possibility, but in the absence of an ethical administration model, such technologies might also sustain bias.
Financial stability is not only a political, but it’s also a public health requirement. Governments need to focus on community-oriented justice systems, laws protecting reporters, and public engagement strategies. International organizations should fund local peace projects that include the voices of women, youth, and minorities.
Peace, justice, and strong institutions are not only moral necessities but also crucial components for fair health results worldwide. Health inequities will worsen if there is no inclusive governance, access to justice, and institutional responsibility. To create safer and more just communities. Investing in these systems must continue to be a key component of the global health agenda as countries advance.(Donais et al., 2023).
In addition to providing treatment, nurses advocate for justice, fairness, and peace in healthcare systems. Particularly in underserved and conflict-affected communities, nurses are often the most trusted and readily available healthcare professionals. Their everyday practice reflects the goals of SDG 16 by promoting safe, inclusive, and courteous settings for all patients, irrespective of their history or situation. Nurses contribute to maintaining human rights and dignity in both clinical environments and the larger community through their presence and impact.
Promoting strong and equitable institutions through nursing practice is the subject of [Text Wrapping Break]Nurses enhance institutional accountability and transparency by practising ethically, protecting patient rights, and reporting injustices or systemic deficiencies. Their active participation in health policy debates, hospital ethics committees, and leadership positions helps to make health systems more inclusive and responsive. By addressing the social determinants of health, such as poverty, violence, and discrimination, which frequently result from poor governance and institutional neglect, nurses may also contribute to peace.
To truly support SDG 16, nurses must engage in ongoing education on health equity, legal rights, and policy advocacy. Additionally, to increase their impact beyond the bedside, they need to forge solid connections with community leaders, legal aid, and public health groups. Nurses can help establish a healthcare environment where peace and fairness are not only ideals but realities that support global health equity for all by heading efforts that foster justice and institutional integrity.
In diverse societies, leadership that is culturally aware and policies that embrace language inclusiveness improve participation and trust. Peace and justice are essential for the safety, health, and fairness of our world. As we approach the 2030 SDG deadline, it is important to recognize that peace and responsible governance are necessary for achieving health and development goals .(Shulla & Leal-Filho, 2023).
The Pakistani government understands that peace, justice, and institutions are essential foundations for long-term development and better health results. Efforts to improve the public health infrastructure cannot succeed without inclusive governance, fair justice systems, and accountable institutions. As a result, SDG 16 is not just a development objective but a national priority that supports our goal of a healthier, more stable, and wealthier Pakistan. Actions and Reforms Taken in Paragraph 2 Pakistan has implemented tangible measures to align its national agenda with SDG 16, such as community policing initiatives, judicial reforms, and digital governance programs, all of which are intended to improve openness and public trust.
Our goal in the healthcare industry is to guarantee that all citizens, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable, have equal access to high-quality treatment. This mission is centered on initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional accountability, lowering corruption, and advancing human rights. Whether you are a nurse, policymaker, or student, your voice matters. Let’s fight for establishments that serve people, not power.
References
Bayati, M., Noroozi, R., Ghanbari-Jahromi, M., & Jalali, F. S. (2022). Inequality in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine: a systematic review. International journal for equity in health, 21(1), 122.
Donais, T., Edgar, A. D., & Van Houten, K. (2023). Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the Global Governance of Violence.
Hope Sr, K. R. (2023). Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Institutions: Overcoming Challenges to the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 in Africa and Beyond. In Corruption, Sustainable Development and Security Challenges in Africa: Prospects and Policy Implications for Peace and Stability (pp. 131-160). Springer.
Shulla, K., & Leal-Filho, W. (2023). Achieving the UN Agenda 2030: Overall actions for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals before and after the 2030 deadline. European Union Parliament.