Health as Human Rights under Malaysian National Legal Framework

Abstract

Good health is fundamental to a full and active life. It is the key to wealth and prosperity. Good health contributes directly to economic growth while poor health drives poverty. The right to health is considered directly in many international instruments including the World Health Organization. Every single country in the world is now a member of at least one of the many international instruments where health is treated as a human right. Sound health is a precondition to enjoy right to live peaceful. This right to health is guaranteed by the Federation Constitution of Malaysia. If anybody in Malaysia is deprived of enjoying his life then he can go to the court in order enforce his right. This paper aims at giving an overview of legal and regulatory framework of different international legal instruments and national laws of Malaysia relating to healthcare and shares the response of Malaysia Government in relation to the framework.