A Critical Examination of the Prospects and Challenges of Applying the International Right to Health Framework for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Nigeria

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the application of the right to health approach to achieve the reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria. Existing literature has primarily focused on recommending that Nigeria adopt and implement international right to health standards in order to reduce its extremely high maternal mortality ratio. These recommendations are often preceded by a catalogue of Nigeria’s various failings to conform with the standards of the framework. The inherent shortcomings of the framework, as well as the challenges associated with its implementation are usually overlooked. Invariably, there has hitherto been a one-sided consideration of the prospects of the framework. Therefore, this study provides a holistic presentation of the prospects and challenges of the framework. To provide a nuanced understanding of the viability of the framework in the Nigerian context, as well as to fill a gap in knowledge, an empirical study focusing on Lagos state in Nigeria, explored the experiences of the implementers of some of the aspects of the framework.
Overall, the research reveals that although the right to health approach is potentially useful, adopting and implementing all or any part of it, without taking account of the problems of the framework and the means to adapt the framework to the Nigerian context, would result in nominal gains and, or unintended consequences. This study thus contributes to a more balanced and informed discussion on the feasibility of the right to health approach in relation to maternal mortality reduction in Nigeria.