Human Right to Health: Changing the Narrative in Nigeria

Abstract

The right to health care access is a basic and universal right. It has
been recognised and articulated in many international and regional
instruments. Nigeria, like many other States, has demonstrated a
commitment to protect this right by ratifying those Conventions,
Treaties and Agreements that guarantee the right to health.
Unfortunately, Nigerian citizens do not have access to health care as
there are currently no workable health care systems in place. The
government has been accused of being non-responsive to this
commitment as health care system remains weak as evidenced by
lack of coordination, fragmentation of services, dearth of resources,
inadequate and decaying infrastructure, and very deplorable quality
of care. This Paper contends that the absence of a functional health
care service for citizens is not only unacceptable but it is a major
barrier to development. The Paper concludes that changing the
narrative on the right to health will entail deliberate action on the
part of government to show sincerity on its international obligation.