WHAT WE DO

DRH brings doctors and lawyers together to work as a team to improve the health and health-related human rights for the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. We combine medical and legal expertise to fight unacceptable health inequalities, strengthen health systems, and promote human rights in the health sector. We achieve this through a strategic combination of investigative research, advocacy, litigation, education and capacity building.

Investigating and exposing violations of the right to health :

Our team of dedicated doctors and lawyers conduct objective investigations into worst forms of violations of the right to health, such as maternal and child mortalities, lack of essential medicines and basic life-saving equipment in public health facilities, gross disrespect and abuse of patients rights by health workers, stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, cholera epidemics and spillage of cyanide, oil and other dangerous substances into water bodies by corporate entities. Our investigation findings are carefully documented and disseminated to a variety of targeted audiences including Policy makers, Government bodies, Parliament, the Human rights commission, the media and general public with the aim of exposing these violations and seeking redress for the victims.

Conducting Legislative and Policy Advocacy:

At DRH, we thoroughly review policies, laws and practices that affect or have the potential of affecting the right to health of the most vulnerable members of the population, and advocate for positive reforms. Our formidable team of doctors and lawyers push for policy and legislative changes to eliminate all forms of systemic barriers to healthcare access, such as poverty, lack of insurance coverage, discrimination, poor service and cultural issues.

DRH works collaboratively with other civil society organizations to advocate for the passage of appropriate health-related laws in Ghana, such as the passage of the National Tobacco Draft Bill into Law. We also monitor the implementation and enforcement of health-related laws and policies, and report violations to the relevant bodies for redress.

Through innovative policy advocacy strategies such as hosting of policy forums, lobbying, research, training and media advocacy, DRH seeks to campaign for increased health sector funding, and increased access to essential medicines in all public health facilities as required by the World Health Organization. DRH also seeks to advocate for improved human resource for health in Ghana by addressing education and training of health workers, governance and leadership issues, monitoring and evaluation, and migration and retention of health workers.

Using Strategic Litigation

DRH is committed to seeking justice for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the population whose rights to health and life are violated on daily basis. Our team of competent doctors and lawyers investigate and gather evidence of gross violations of the right to health committed by the most powerful in society, including public and private institutions, and strategically use the courts to seek redress for the victims. Our litigation work seeks to advance social justice and equality for women, children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and other vulnerable and marginalized members of society.

Raising Awareness, Educating and Building Capacity :

Through community outreaches, seminars and workshops, DRH informs, raises awareness and educates vulnerable and marginalized groups about their right to good health; mobilizes and assists them to develop strategies to claim and enjoy their right. DRH facilitates meetings between disadvantaged groups and duty-bearers, including policy makers, parliamentarians and local authorities to dialogue on pertinent issues that affect the realization of the right to health. Through such meetings, the health concerns and voices of vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women, children and persons living with HIV/AIDS are heard by those who matter in decision making. We work with policy makers, parliamentarians, local authorities and other duty-bearers to improve their capacity to enable them fulfill their legal obligations related to the right to health. We train, support and encourage health workers, civil society organizations and the media to advocate for health as a human right.