The World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria Representative, Dr. Walter Molumbo,has declared that depriving individuals of healthcare constitutes a grave violation of their fundamental human rights.
He spoke during a health walk jointly organized by WHO Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, marking the 2024 World Health Day in Abuja .
The annual World Health Day, observed every April 7th, serves as a clarion call to direct global attention towards pressing health concerns.
This year’s theme, ‘My health, my right,’ resonates deeply with the WHO’s foundational ethos, emphasizing that access to healthcare is not merely a privilege but an inalienable right.
Dr. Molumbo invoked the genesis of the WHO, founded 76 years ago by Member States on the bedrock principle of human rights.
He passionately asserted that health, being a cornerstone of human well-being, must be universally accessible, irrespective of socio-economic status or geographical location.
“Today serves as a stark reminder that any form of health deprivation should be unequivocally condemned as a human rights violation,” he emphasized.
The WHO representative illuminated the dire consequences of healthcare inequities, highlighting scenarios where vulnerable populations, such as children missing vaccinations or mothers perishing during childbirth, are tragically denied their inherent rights to healthcare.
His words reverberated with a call to action, urging stakeholders to redouble efforts in ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services.
Echoing Dr. Molumbo’s sentiments, Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering healthcare delivery nationwide.
Emphasizing the ministry’s collaborative efforts with WHO, she reiterated the imperative of viewing healthcare through a human rights lens.
“In alignment with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration, the health sector is undergoing a profound revitalization,” remarked Daju.
“Our focus is on achieving Universal Health Coverage, beginning from grassroots primary healthcare facilities to tertiary institutions, thereby ensuring that no citizen is left behind.”
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