NHRC Seeks Stronger Protection of Health and Life Rights, Backs Healthcare Reforms

NHRC Seeks Stronger Protection of Health and Life Rights, Backs Healthcare Reforms

The State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, has reiterated the need to safeguard the rights to health and life as part of efforts to ensure the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society.

Chief Mrs. Nwokocha made the statement shortly after receiving members of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, who presented an Advocacy Brief on Infrastructure Renovation and Integrated Disease Screening Pathways. The delegation was led by its Team Leader, Mr. Jude Obillor.

She commended the leadership of the initiative for its commitment to giving back to society through a survey conducted in selected public healthcare facilities across the state, noting that the findings and recommendations would contribute significantly to improving the quality of healthcare delivery.

Represented by the Assistant Director of Investigation of the Commission, Mrs. Ukachi Uka, the State Coordinator described the visit as a step towards strengthening collaboration between the NHRC and the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights.

She explained that the Commission’s mandate covers the protection of the rights of children, women, men and other vulnerable groups, assuring the team of its readiness to collaborate in addressing challenges identified during their fieldwork.

Speaking earlier, the Advocacy Team Leader of the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, Mr. Jude Obillor, said the objective of the data collection exercise among beneficiaries of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria services in healthcare facilities funded by the Global Fund through the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) was to document community experiences that would help improve the public health system.

Mr. Obillor disclosed that the organisation successfully conducted 1,800 client exit interviews between January and June this year.

According to him, the interviews were carried out across 10 approved Primary Healthcare Centres in Bende, Isiala Ngwa South, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North Local Government Areas.

He appealed to government and relevant agencies to support reforms aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services, adding that while community awareness of healthcare services stood at 81.7 per cent, severe infrastructural decay and fragmented diagnostic pathways continued to undermine patient safety.

The courtesy visit was attended by the State Programmes Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Chief White Ikeocha.