Healthcare commercialisation in Nigeria during COVID-19: GI-ESCR starts a consultation process with partners to realise the right to health.

Today, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights initiated a process of consultation on its upcoming report looking at the failures of commercialised healthcare during COVID-19 in Nigeria. The report is complemented by the stories from the urban poor trying to access healthcare services during COVID-19, collected by the Justice & Empowerement Initiative (JEI).

The programme officer on the right to health, Rossella De Falco, presented preliminary key findings and conclusions to the representatives of the main civil society organisations and stakeholders working on healthcare and public services in Nigeria. The consultation was realised thanks to the support of the Corporate Accountability & Public Participation in Africa (CAPPA). The discussion also included reflection on next steps on how to bring change in Nigeria, where the right to health is undermined by growing healthcare commercialisation and privatisation, though long-term advocacy and follow-up research.

A slide from the presentation during the consultation meeting.