The human right to health in Africa

The human right to health, that is, the right guaranteed to every person, without any discrimination, to have access to the health services required by his or her state of health and to enjoy the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions indispensable for the enjoyment of physical, mental and social well-being, is enshrined in Africa in national, sub-regional, regional and universal legal instruments. However, African states fail to honor their commitment to ensure the effective implementation of the human right to health, which implies not only guaranteeing universal access to quality health care and medicines, but also realizing other human rights. The effective implementation of the human right to health in Africa is not a utopia, it will only require the political will of African states and the full participation of the international community.