4. Reproductive rights and ­human rights standards and principles an “entitlement to an effective and integrated health system, encompassing health care and the underlying determinants of health, which is responsive to national and local priorities and accessible to all”. Such a holistic approach can be useful in preventing maternal deaths. In its General Comment No. 14 from 2000 on the right to health, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights underlines that even though the right to health is among the rights that are to be realized progressively, states still have a “specifi c and continuing obligation to move as expeditiously and effectively as possible towards the full realization of” this right, cf. Para. 31. According to states’ obligations to protect, respect and fulfil reproductive rights, states have to ensure that: • Harmful practices do not interfere with pre- and post-natal care and family-planning; • Third parties do not coerce women to undergo harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation; and • Measures are taken to protect all vulnerable or marginalized groups of society, including women, children and adolescents. In order to fulfil the right to health, states should at least adopt a national health policy with a detailed plan for the realization of the right to health. Public health infrastructure should provide sexual and reproductive health services, including safe motherhood, particularly in rural areas. Information campaigns, in particular with respect to HIV/ AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, traditional practices and domestic violence, should be carried out.56 One core obligation in relation to the progressive realization of the right to health is to secure access to health facilities and services on a non-discriminatory basis, especially for vulnerable or marginalized groups, and to ensure equitable distribution of all such facilities and services. For instance, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has explained that LGBT and intersex persons face particular barriers in exercising their right to health.57 In addition, each state shall adopt and implement a national public health strategy and plan of action addressing the health concerns of the whole population (with particular attention to all vulnerable or marginalized groups). Another obligation is to provide essential drugs as defined under the WHO Action Programme on Essential Drugs. Among the drugs listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines58 are anti-retroviral drugs (HIV medicine), medicine for neonatal care (caffeine citrate used to treat breathing problems in premature infants) and contraceptives, including p-pills, p-injections, intrauterine devices, condoms, diaphragms and implantable contraceptives. 56 Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Comment No. 14. 57 OHCHR, “Born Free and Equal : Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity under International Human Rights Law”, p. 45 (2012) 58 16th list (updated), March 2010. For further details, see Annex 1. 113