Right to Health: Assessment of the National Tuberculosis Control Program of the Philippines

Abstract

Health and human rights are two inextricably linked discourses that together can significantly advance the well being of people. This research explored this linkage by looking at tuberculosis (TB), a disease targeted in the MDGs because of its capability to infect and kill millions of people worldwide. TB is a major public health issue in many countries like the Philippines. In 2012, WHO reported that the Philippines has already achieved all TB-related targets of the MDGs. However, the Philippines is also a state member of the UN that has ratified socioeconomic rights. Under the human rights, it is duty-bound to uphold human rights obligations, including the right to health. The right to health is a socioeconomic right that goes beyond the boundaries of healthcare and the state of being healthy. This research sought to answer the question: Does the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) of the Philippines respect, protect and fulfil the right to health of Filipino patients? To analyse NTP‟s policies, two rights-based assessment tools were developed and used. These tools were hinged on the right to health framework, a framework developed by Paul Hunt. Data was taken from in-depth interviews of key state health workers and a critical discourse analysis of the NTP. Data showed that various factors prevent TB health workers from fully fulfilling the right to health. Results revealed that in some areas, the NTP has considered some of the key right to health principles but there are also guidelines in NTP that violated the rights of patients. Assessments also showed discrepancies between the written policies and how it is translated on the ground. Therefore, based from the analysis, the NTP has not yet fully respected, protected and fulfilled the right to health of Filipino TB patients.