Human Rights-Based Accountability for Healthcare in Uganda

The promotion of the right to the health of the people involves, among other things, the eradication of injustices such as the discrimination and stigmatization of patients by health services providers. This article argues that a human rights-based accountability promotes health as a human right proper to every human being, for which all duty bearers must be held accountable. It establishes that progress lies enabling people to have a say in the matters of their health, and in demanding that they be treated with dignity and respect for all their rights. It is shown that the rights-based accountability for health call for design and implementation of health-related programmes that reflect ten  key principles of a right to health analytical framework. These include: (a) the recognition of the international, regional and national human rights laws, norms and standards; (b) Resource constraints and progressive realization; (c) Obligation of Immediate Effect;(d)Freedoms and Entitlements; (e) Available, Accessible, Acceptable and Quality; (f) Respect, Protect and Fulfil; (g) Non-discrimination, Equality and Vulnerability; (h) accountability; (i) Active and Informed Participation; and (j) Empowerment and International Assistance and Cooperation.