Health resource allocation among indigenous peoples from the right to health and health capability approaches: The case of P’urhépecha people

ABSTRACT

The right to health under the human rights-based approach and health capability paradigm can be used to identify whether health-related resources are allocated in a way that health inequities are being reduced among indigenous peoples taking into account what they value. Elements for these approaches were identified and assessed for the P’urhépecha people in Mexico through developed indicators based on the available statistics and qualitative data. Compared with the national level, there is a lag for most of the indicators related to the availability and use of public health systems, health determinants, health-related information, and traditional healing. People are worried because diseases such as diabetes and substance abuse are high and rising; however, they continue lifestyles that support them. Through the health capability paradigm and the right to health approach, it is found that health and health capabilities for the P’urhépecha must comprise their idea of good living (Buen Vivir) or sési irékani, which in turn requires the right to development. In this sense, current P’urhépecha demands converge with those of other indigenous peoples in which autonomy, as a right to self-determination, is a necessary condition to design their health policy and allocate health-related resources in a globalised world.

KEYWORDS:

• Right to health
• health capabilities
• indigenous peoples
• P’urhépecha people
• Buen Vivir

Acknowledgements

The author thanks all those who participated in this research, especially the individuals and communities in P’urhepecherio and the social organisation Comuna P’urhépecha.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Ethics statement

This research was approved by the Research Department of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional under the tutelage of the Research and Postgraduate Secretary (SIP 20195763) and no comment was made by this office on obtaining the ethical grant. All participants were informed of their right to refuse participation in the study and were assured of the confidentiality of the collected information. Respondents did not receive any incentive for participation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Instituto Politécnico Nacional under [grant number: SIP 20195763].