A/HRC/7/11 page 24 102. In some States, the private health sector, while playing a very important role, is largely unregulated. Crucially, the requirement of human rights accountability extends to both the public and private health sectors. Additionally, it is not confined to national bodies; it also extends to international actors working on health-related issues. 103. Accountability mechanisms are urgently needed for all those - public, private, national and international - working on health-related issues. The design of appropriate, independent accountability mechanisms demands creativity and imagination. Often associated with accountability, lawyers must be willing to understand the distinctive characteristics and challenges of health systems, and learn from the rich experience of medicine and public health. 104. The issue of accountability gives rise to two related points. 105. First, the right to the highest attainable standard of health should be recognized in national law. This is very important because such recognition gives rise to legal accountability for those with responsibilities for health systems. As is well known, the right is recognized in the Constitution of WHO, as well as the Declaration of Alma-Ata. It is also recognized in numerous binding international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by every State in the world, except for two (the United States of America and Somalia). The right to the highest attainable standard of health is also protected by numerous national constitutions. It should be recognized in the national law of all States. 106. Second, although important, legal recognition of the right to the highest attainable standard of health is usually confined to a very general formulation that does not set out in any detail what is required of those with responsibilities for health. For this reason, a State must not only recognize the right to health in national law but also ensure that there are more detailed provisions clarifying what society expects by way of health-related services and facilities. For example, there will have to be provisions relating to water quality and quantity, blood safety, essential medicines, the quality of medical care, and numerous other issues encompassed by the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Such clarification may be provided by laws, regulations, protocols, guidelines, codes of conduct and so on. WHO has published important standards on a range of health issues. Obviously, clarification is important for providers, so they know what is expected of them. It is also important for those for whom the service or facility is intended, so they know what they can legitimately expect. Once the standards are reasonably clear, it is easier (and fairer) to hold accountable those with responsibilities for their achievement. 3. Conclusion 107. In summary, there is a legal obligation arising from the right to the highest attainable standard of health to ensure that there is an up-to-date development plan for human resources in health; programmes to recruit from disadvantaged populations; an adequate number of domestically trained health workers (subject to progressive realization and resource availability); domestically competitive salaries for health workers; incentives to work in underserved areas; and so on. In the context of health planning, there is a legal obligation to ensure that the process is participatory and transparent; addresses the health needs of disadvantaged individuals,