The Right to Health program is a research and advocacy initiative that examines the framework of the human right to health and explores strategies for its full implementation in Nigeria.

SERAC’s initial efforts under this project included investigating and ascertaining the nature and pervasiveness of human rights denials experienced by People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria. SERAC conducted an extensive field and desk study on the health, ethical, legal, sociological, and human rights issues related to HIV/AIDS. It organized a workshop that brought together PLWHA, lawyers, judges, media professionals, physicians, nurses and other health workers to begin to build a platform for the full promotion and protection of PLWHAs’ human rights.

Under this program, SERAC filed a lawsuit, Ahamefule vs. Imperial Medical Centre, on behalf of an auxiliary nurse who was, inter alia, wrongfully discharged by her employer based solely on the grounds of her HIV sero-positive status. The case is presently on interlocutory appeal. SERAC is appealing the Court’s ruling to bar the plaintiff from entering the courtroom because of the trial judge’s unfounded fear that she will infect others attending the proceedings.

SERAC is presently monitoring ongoing health care sectoral reforms in Lagos State. Our participation is the outcome of vigorous engagement by the organization with health planners and managers at high levels in the state. Our point of intervention is to ensure that applicable human rights standards are taken into consideration in the development of a new health policy for the state, particular regarding access to primary health care for the poor and other vulnerable groups.