World Health Organization: Denial of Healthcare is a Human Rights Violation

Expressing the view that withholding healthcare from individuals constitutes a violation of human rights, Dr. Walter Molumbo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria, spoke on the matter.

Dr. Molumbo conveyed this message in Abuja on Tuesday, during a health walk event jointly organized by WHO Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to mark the 2024 World Health Day.

Celebrated annually on April 7, World Health Day serves as a global health awareness day, shedding light on specific health issues that demand attention.

The 2024 World Health Day centers around the theme ‘My health, my right.’

He elaborated on the founding principles of WHO, established by Member States 76 years ago, which are anchored on human rights, underscoring the belief that healthcare is an inherent human right, not a privilege.

He underlined, “Today serves as a reminder that any form of healthcare deprivation must be viewed as a violation of human rights. The failure to vaccinate a child or the loss of a mother during childbirth are both unacceptable and should be treated as human rights violations.”

Concurrently, Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, mentioned that the ministry is collaborating closely with WHO to enhance healthcare services across the nation.

“Our objective is to raise awareness regarding the public’s entitlement to healthcare and quality medical care, emphasizing our commitment to monitoring healthcare through a human rights perspective.

“Under the current administration’s renewed hope agenda, efforts to revitalize the health sector are underway, with a focus on ensuring Universal Health Coverage for all, commencing from grassroots Primary Health Care facilities to advanced Tertiary care services,” she articulated.