HEALTHCARE DECISION MAKING FOR MINORS IN NIGERIA:

Good health is an indispensable index for life both for the adults and the children. Good health is affiliated with the inalienable right to life. Without qualitative healthcare, there will be no enjoyment of other fundamental human rights. The right of a minor to healthcare has been a burning legal issue over the years. Also in contest is the corollary issue of who should have the absolute legal right to choose healthcare treatment on behalf of the child. Since the minor is helpless and cannot make a healthcare decision, it therefore depends on the parents or guardians to make such life changing decisions for these young ones. In most situations where the parents have religious belief, they had been guided by such considerations to make healthcare decisions in behalf of their minors. There were instances where healthcare professionals did not agree with the parental choices and so enlisted legal assistance to administer healthcare treatment to the child. In Nigeria, a recent Supreme Court decision of Esabunor v Faweya is critically analysed.