HEALTH AND
T
HUMAN RIGHTS
Objectives
At the end of this unit we will be able to:
Recognize basic human rights
Discuss the importance of human rights.
Conceptualize a rights base approach to health.
Identify nurses role in client centered health care approach.
Introduction
The human right to health means that everyone has
the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and
mental health, which includes access to
all medical services, sanitation, food, and a clean
environment.
Definition
“Human rights are generally defined as those rights, which
are inherent in our nature, and without which, we cannot live
as human beings.”(United Nation 1948).
“Human rights are standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all
human beings. Human rights govern how individual human beings live
in society and with each other, as well as their relationship with the
State and the obligations that the State have towards them”. ( UNICEF
Finland, 2015)
What are human rights?
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person
in the world, from birth until death.
These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness,
equality, respect and independence.
These values are defined and protected by law.
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10
December every year.
Five Categories of Human Rights
1. Civil Rights
2. Political Rights
3. Economic Rights
4. Social Rights
5. Cultural Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR)
The atrocities of the Second World War made the
protection of human rights an international priority.
The United Nations was founded in 1945.
The United Nations allowed more than 50 Member
States to contribute to the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in
1948.
The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR)
1. We are all free and equal.
2. Don’t discriminate.
3. The right to life.
4. No slavery.
5. No Torture.
6. We all have the same right to use the law.
7. We are all protected by the law.
8. Fair treatment by fair courts.
9. No unfair detainment.
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10. The right to trial.
The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR)
11. Innocent until proven guilty.
12. The right to privacy.
13. Freedom to move.
14. The right to asylum.
15. The right to a nationality.
16. Marriage and family.
17. Your own things.
18. Freedom of thought.
19. Free to say what you want.
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20. Meet where you like.
The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR)
21. The right to democracy.
22. The right to social security.
23. Workers’ rights.
24. The right to play.
25. A bed and some food.
26. The right to education.
27. Culture and copyright.
28. A free and fair world.
29. Our responsibilities.
30. Nobody can take away these rights and
freedoms from us.
International Human Rights Law
International human rights law (IHRL) is to promote human
rights on social, regional, and domestic levels.
The United Nations has accepted rights, including civil,
cultural, economic, political and social rights.
Human Rights in Pakistan
The Constitution of Pakistan provides for
fundamental rights, i.e. freedom of speech, thought,
religion, press, assembly and the right to bear arms.
Fundamental Rights
The following Articles are covered in great detail. These are
your Rights and supported by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Article 8. Laws in consistent with or in derogation of
fundamental rights to be void.
Article 9. Security of person. No person shall be deprived of
life or liberty save in accordance with law.
Article 10. Safeguards as to arrest and detention.
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Fundamental Rights
Article 10A. Right to fair trial.
Article 11. Slavery, forced labour, etc.
prohibited.
Article 12. Protection against retrospective
punishment.
Article 13. Protection against double
punishment and self incrimination.
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Fundamental Rights
Article 14. Inviolability of dignity of man, etc.
Article 15. Freedom of movement, etc.
Article 16. Freedom of assembly.
Article 17. Freedom of association:
Article 18. Freedom of trade, business or profession.
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Fundamental Rights
Article 19. Safeguards as to educational institutions
in respect of religion, etc.
Article 20. Provision to hold property.
Article 21. Protection of property rights.
Article 22. Equality of citizens.
Article 23. Non-discrimination in respect of access to
public places.
Article 24. Safeguard against discrimination in
services.
Article 25. Preservation of language, script and
culture
Importance of Human Rights
“Human rights are supreme,
inherent, and inalienable rights to
life, dignity and self-development.
It is the essence of these rights
that makes man human.”
Philippine Commission on Human Right
Ten Reasons, why we need Human Rights
1. Human rights ensure people have basic needs
met.
2. Human rights protect vulnerable groups from
abuse.
3. Human rights allow people to stand up to
societal corruption.
4. Human rights encourage freedom of speech
and expression.
5. Human rights give people the freedom to
practice their religion.
Ten Reasons, why we need Human
Rights
6. Human rights allows people to love who they
choose.
7. Human rights encourage equal work
opportunities.
8. Human rights give people access to education.
9. Human rights protect the environment.
10. Human rights provide a universal standard that
holds governments accountable.
Human Rights-Based Approach to
healthcare
A Human Rights-Based Approach
(HRBA) emphasizes that every person has
basic rights which should be respected and
protected. Every person has a right to the
enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of health. These rights are
protected by international law.
The UN Common Understanding on a
Human Rights-based Approach
A human rights-based approach is one of the
key principles guiding UN common country
programs, and has been integrated into the
Guidelines for UN Country Teams on
Preparing a Common Country Assessment
(CCA) and United Nations Development
Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
Key elements of a Human Rights Based Approach to healt
A human rights-based approach to
health specifically aims at realizing
the right to health.
Health policy are to be guided by
human rights standards and principles
and aim to effectively claim their
health rights.
Patients Rights
The Right to Be Treated with Respect
All patients, regardless of their means or health
challenges, should expect to be treated respectfully
and without discrimination by their providers,
practitioners, and payers.
The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records
Patients have a right to obtain their medical records,
including doctors' notes, medical test results and
other documentation related to their care.
Patients Rights
The Right to Make a Treatment Choice
As long as a patient is considered to be of sound mind, it is
both his right and responsibility to know about the options
available for treatment of his medical condition and then
make the choice he feels is right for him.
The Right to Informed Consent
Every Medical care facility performs procedures or treatments
after asking the patient or his guardian to sign a form
giving consent. This document is called “Informed
Consent" because the practitioner is expected to provide
clear explanations of the risks and benefits prior to the
patient's participation.
Patients Rights
The Right to Refuse Treatment
In most cases, a patient may refuse treatment as long
as he is considered to be capable of making sound
decisions, or he made that choice when he was of
sound mind through written expression (as is often
the case when it comes to end-of-life care).
Patients Rights
The Right to Make Decisions About End-of-
Life Care
It is concerned with how patients may make and legally
record the decisions they make about how their lives
will end including life-preserving measures such as the
use of feeding tubes or ventilators.
Nurse as the healthcare professionals
Provide leadership in
all healthcare areas.
Including developing systems to
reduce medical errors.
Improving quality, providing better
care coordination.
Increasing access to care, and averting
workforce shortages.
Roll of nurse in health care center
Nurses are playing very
expressive role in building
and enhancing the health
care center services. e.g
in healthcare system like a
doctor.
Roll of nurse in health care cente
Nurses also play an integral role in serving the care to
patients.
As per the doctor’s instructions, nurses managing the
caseloads of patients with intense care need and guides them.
Roll of nurse in health care center
i. Communicate with patients:
In hospitals, lots of people visit in a day
from village or city. People who are not
educated required more consultation care
as compared to educated one.
For this purpose, effective communication
in the healthcare system is necessary that
can improve outcomes in the healthcare
environment.
Roll of nurse in health care center
ii. Take care of Patient Safety:
Nurses play a vital role in patient safety. it’s nurse duty to
prevent medication errors and ensures patients receive the
correct treatment.
Roll of nurse in health care center
iii. Caregiver:
Nurses take care of their patients in
hospitals like a mother. The care
depends on the needs &
requirements of a patient.
The care delivered to a patient
depends on the stage of illness like,
if someone suffers from cancer
require more care than a person
suffers from normal fever.
Roll of nurse in health care center
iv. Being Teacher of patient:
Nurses teach patients about
their health and
medications. Nurse clears
all doubts like a teacher
about certain procedures.
The role of the nurse in
patient care is to deliver
100% patient satisfaction.
Roll of nurse in health care center
v. Act as a Patient Advocate:
Generally when a patient is not
well, then its nurse duty to
determine the exact needs of the
patient to protect patient’s rights.
SUMMARY
Everyone has the right to the health care they
need, and to living conditions that enable us to
be healthy, such as adequate food, housing and a
healthy environment.
Health care must be provided as a public good
for all, financed publicly and equitably.
Resources
https://www.un.org/en/
https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-
rights/
https://www.who.int/
http://www.mohr.gov.pk/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/patients-rights-
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