The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has expressed deep concern over the poor state of health facilities in the country, leading to avoidable deaths of vulnerable Nigerian. The Rights group also lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari for approving foreign medical trip for former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

The group accused the Federal Government of gross violation of the constitutional right to life of Nigerians due to the poor state of health infrastructure in the country, which is responsible for the avoidable deaths of millions of citizens, especially the low and middle class, the children and other vulnerable Nigerians. CDHR stated that the concept of right to life arises in and relates to issues of functional health institutions and efficient healthcare.

The foremost human rights organisation condemned the action of the President and the Federal Government in neglecting the nation’s health institutions and infrastructure in preference for foreign medical trips by the political class. The Organisation calls for the resignation of the Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole.

In a statement by its National Executive Committee, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade (Barr) Henry Peter Ekine, CDHR decried the approval by the President that Ekwueme be taken abroad for medical treatment.

The group further pointed out that “the many trips by the political class, including the President and now former Vice President for medical treatment abroad is a clear demonstration that the Federal Government has no interest in the development of the health sector.

The statement also observed that while the political class could easily access and fund medical care abroad, most times with state funds, the low and middle class are usually left to their fate and their inability to fund foreign medical care; thus the rising level of avoidable deaths of vulnerable Nigerians, especially in the rural areas.

“Many Nigerians have died of simple health conditions that could have been avoided. In view of the foregoing, the National Executive Committee, under the leadership of the President, Comrade (Barr) Malachy Ugwummadu, called for a declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector.

“It will be recalled that only recently, the unions in the health sector, including the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) embarked on strike, only a few days after the National Association of Resident Doctors called off its ten days national industrial action. Resident Doctors, embarked on national and in some cases, local strikes for various reasons. Such strikes have become almost regular in the health sector. Also recently, the State House Clinic was reported to lack basic requirements for efficient service delivery.”

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