We treated the Health rights last week. We gave you a breakdown of Nigeria’s 2018 Patient Bill of right as espoused by Nigeria Consumer Protection Council and other stake holders in the health sector. These rights are basically in line with UN (United Nations) and WHO (World Health Organization) fundamental human rights principles.
They are rights that gave you unfettered access to highest attainable standard of health, relevant health information, clean safe secure health environment as well as protection from disrespect when you visit health facilities, protection from unconsented participation in medical research and experiment and so on. These rights don’t guarantee healthy health status.
The right to health does not mean the right to be healthy, nor does it mean that poor governments must put in place expensive health services for which they have no resources. But it does require governments and public authorities to put in place policies and action plans, which will lead to available and accessible health care for all in the shortest possible time.
Human rights violations are the greatest threats to health right. Violations or lack of attention to human rights can have serious health consequences. Degradation, abuse and violence, torture, harmful practices, poor living conditions, lack of information, lack of health services, all, impact negatively on right to health. But when human rights are respected and protected vulnerability to ill health will reduce.
Another precursor of right to health is that authorities must provide basic amenities that are germane to good health. These amenities are the underlying determinants of health. They include; Safe drinking water and adequate sanitation; Safe food; Adequate nutrition and housing; Healthy working and environmental conditions; Health-related education and information; Gender equality.
So, we have positive correlation between human rights and health rights. Authorities have also done their best to provide necessary amenities to the people to guaranty their health rights. Yet it does not translate to being healthy.
The right to health is NOT the same as the right to be healthy. Good health is influenced by several factors, many of which are outside the direct control of states. Factors such as hereditary, biological makeup, life styles, work types and economic status play a vital role in determining healthiness.
To maintain healthy health status, you must:
-Do regular health check-up
-Eat Right (Watch out for a comprehensive balance diet report from one of our professional resource persons)
-Avoid stress
-Sleep well
-Exercise regularly
-Recreate moderately
When next you visit your health service providers ask them for more information on healthy living and of course stay live on Citizen Comfort.