TheCable

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) says the federal government fund medical treatment for the rich abroad while the common man lacks access to good healthcare.

In a statement on Sunday, CDHR condemned government’s “neglect of the nation’s health institutions in preference for foreign medical trips”.

It said such “worrisome” practice violates the right of every Nigerian to a healthy life.

Citing the presidential approval for an overseas treatment for Alex Ekwueme, former vice-president, the group said though kind and commendable, such government-backed overseas treatment has been the “single most worrisome factor responsible for the collapse and failure of the health sector”.

“The many trips overseas for medical treatment by the political class, including the president and other public office holders, is a clear demonstration that the president and the federal government have no interest in the welfare and lives of Nigerians and development of the health sector,” the statement issued by Henry Ekine, its spokesman, read.

“While the political class could easily access and fund medical care abroad, or could easily obtain presidential approval for immediate medical care abroad, the millions of Nigerians of 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, which would have been avoidable. High rates of maternal mortality and rising incidences of child morbidity are direct consequences of deliberate neglect of the health sector and poor health infrastructure.”

While calling for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector, the group added: “The president should order an immediate comprehensive overhaul of the health sector or consider a comprehensive inclusion of all Nigerians in a national programme that will provide opportunity for all citizens to be entitled to health care or medical treatment abroad.”