A/HRC/33/57
must also be functional. Facilities located in areas inhabited by indigenous peoples are
frequently not operational owing to a lack of staff, medicines, supplies and other
consumables.
Accessibility
24.
The four primary dimensions of accessibility are non-discrimination, physical
accessibility, economic accessibility and information accessibility. For indigenous peoples,
these four dimensions often intersect. Indigenous peoples are very likely to experience
discrimination when accessing health-care facilities, goods and services. Doctors, nurses
and other health-care professionals may refuse to treat indigenous peoples or indigenous
peoples undergoing treatment may encounter discriminatory beliefs, practices and
experiences, fuelling fear and distrust that further discourages use of health-care facilities.
That situation is amplified for indigenous persons with disabilities. Racism may even lead
to misdiagnosis and mistreatment for serious illnesses. Physical accessibility is an issue for
indigenous peoples, many of whom live in geographically isolated areas, often because of
displacement or the encroachment of non-indigenous peoples on their land.
25.
Economic accessibility is another concern for indigenous peoples, who are
frequently among the most socioeconomically marginalized groups in society. This is
particularly true in countries without universal health care or with high out-of-pocket costs
for consumers. Information accessibility is also constrained for indigenous peoples: this can
be attributed to a number of factors, including health information being unavailable in
indigenous languages; higher rates of illiteracy among indigenous peoples with limited
educational opportunities; a lack of contact with health-care providers owing to
unavailability; and discriminatory or paternalistic attitudes among health-care providers.
Acceptability
26.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has acknowledged that the
right to take part in cultural life encompasses cultural appropriateness, which should be
taken into account in providing health-care services.9 Unfortunately, the health-care
facilities, goods and services available to indigenous peoples are often unacceptable in
nature. Interpersonal and structural racism frequently lead to system-wide policies and
practices that marginalize or exclude individuals and minimize access to facilities, goods
and services. One example of a basic failure to provide acceptable care is the non-provision
of services in indigenous languages (see CEDAW/C/FIN/CO/7), which constitutes
structural racism. Such failures can result in indigenous peoples internalizing stigma,
creating additional barriers to health care. Moreover, indigenous people are frequently
blamed for their illnesses and medical needs, either individually or as a group. Negative
attitudes and a lack of cultural sensitivity among health-care providers in some jurisdictions
also have an impact on indigenous peoples’ ability to seek health care.
Quality
27.
Health-care facilities, goods and services should be scientifically, medically and
culturally appropriate, and of good quality. That requires skilled medical personnel,
scientifically approved and unexpired drugs and hospital equipment, safe drinking water
and adequate sanitation. Tension often exists between mainstream health-care services,
which are generally evidence-based and perceived to be of high quality, and the traditional
health-care practices of indigenous peoples, on which there is a paucity of evidence, often
9
8
See the Committee’s general comment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to take part in cultural
life.