HEALTH RIGHTS 101

 

CHEs and Paralegals can work together to make sure that people can get the health services that the law says they must get. This includes free services in some cases, confidentiality of health services, and access to emergency services no matter what. A right to health means that a person should be able to access care in a reasonable amount of time, and that care should be sufficient - meaning it should be what is needed to address the health issue the person is having. Laws on health access often divide kinds of care into 4 sections:

Primary Care First visit or most basic care. Community providers, pharmacies, clinics, hospitals Includes: check-ups, feeling ill, vaccinations, pre- natal visits, small cuts and burns. Primary care is the most often used. Many of these services are free. Many of the medications give with primary care are free.

 

Secondary Care More complex. Requires a better understanding of the injury or the disease - such as heart disease or cancer. Often given at clinics and hospitals. Only some services are free. Medication for infectious diseases often free.

 

Tertiary Care

Very complex hospital care. Requires unique machines or a very difficult surgery. Not all hospitals offer tertiary care. Almost never free unless a doctor gives the services Teaching hospitals sometimes offer

 

Emergency Care

Life threatening injury or sickness that must be treated right away. Usually located in a hospital. If you arrive at an emergency care unit, the law requires they treat you no matter what. Probably will have to pay after.

 

Basic laws or policies in Lagos:

The Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law - (1) children below the age of 12; (2) elderly persons (60+); (3) civil servants; and (4) destitute persons can all get free health services at public health centers. - A person cannot be rejected from receiving emergency care even if they cannot pay - A health provider CAN NOT give health services without first explaining them and getting consent from the patient

 

The National Programme on Immunization Act

All at risk populations must be given free immunizations (usually means children in poverty)

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The Eko Malaria Control Program

Anyone who comes to a public health center with malaria can get free drugs (however, the testing and consultation are not free)

 

National TB and Leprosy Control Programme

Drugs are free to treat TB Testing and hospitalization free; consultation and materials not free

 

Lagos State Protection of Persons Living with HIV and Affected by AIDS Law (2007)

Drugs, counseling, and testing are all free Discrimination is unlawful Confidentiality is required

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WHO's work towards Universal Health Coverage in countries