Public Health in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap in Care
Last Updated on September 22, 2023
Introduction
Public health refers to the overall health of a population. It encompasses the prevention of diseases, prolonging life, and promoting healthy living.
In Nigeria, public health dates back to the colonial era when the government created health policies to control epidemics.
Despite these policies, Nigeria still suffers from several public health challenges.
Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, prolonged medical strikes, and insufficient funding are only a few of the hindrances to health care access.
The importance of bridging the gap in care in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.
Healthcare access is a fundamental human right. In Nigeria, the majority of people do not have access to quality healthcare services.
The purpose of this blog post is to shed light on the significance of bridging the gap in care and the importance of prioritizing public health in Nigeria.
It is vital to improve healthcare infrastructure, invest in training healthcare professionals, and provide affordable healthcare services to the citizens.
In essence, the health of a population directly affects its productivity and overall development.
Nigeria needs to pay close attention to its public health sector and make a concerted effort to bridge the gap in care.
The government must work with stakeholders to create sustainable policies that prioritize public health.
Read: The Inspiring Journey of Nigerian Women in Healthcare
Challenges facing public health in Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 200 million people, faces significant challenges in ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens. The country struggles with a high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of funding, and poor public health policies. These challenges hinder Nigeria’s public health goals, requiring urgent action to bridge the gap in care.
The major challenges to public health in Nigeria include:
- Poor healthcare infrastructure: Only 25% of the population has access to basic healthcare services due to limited facilities, equipment, and qualified providers.
- Lack of funding: Despite being an upper-middle-income country, Nigeria’s healthcare budget is insufficient, at only 4.2% of the national budget.
- Inadequate public health policies: Outdated policies hinder improvements in health outcomes, leading to poor coordination and implementation of programs.
- Insufficient healthcare workforce: Low doctor-patient ratios, lack of training opportunities, and poor working conditions exacerbate the shortage of healthcare professionals.
- Widespread poverty and inequality: Poverty increases health risks, especially for rural areas and urban slums, with limited access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation facilities.
- Burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases: Nigeria faces a high prevalence of diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, as well as a rising number of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
To overcome these challenges, Nigeria needs significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, policies, and workforce.
Addressing poverty and inequality is crucial to improve the population’s access to quality healthcare services. By tackling these issues head-on, Nigeria can make further strides in improving public health outcomes.
Efforts being made to improve public health in Nigeria
Nigeria has long been grappling with various public health challenges, ranging from infectious diseases like polio, malaria, and tuberculosis, to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to improve public health across the country.
National Strategic Health Development Plan
The National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) is a comprehensive plan designed to transform the health sector in Nigeria.
The plan aims to provide a framework for improving the health of Nigerians, with a focus on reducing maternal and child mortality, addressing infectious diseases, and improving health financing.
The NSHDP has been implemented in several parts of the country, with notable successes in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.
National Health Insurance Scheme
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is a scheme designed to provide affordable healthcare to Nigerians.
The scheme provides access to quality healthcare services, especially for low-income earners who may not be able to afford the cost of healthcare services.
To date, the scheme has provided coverage for millions of Nigerians through various health insurance programmes.
Campaigns to reduce maternal and child mortality
Maternal and child mortality remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria.
To address this challenge, several campaigns have been launched by both the government and non-governmental organizations.
These campaigns aim to increase access to quality maternal and child health services, promote family planning, and reduce the prevalence of child malnutrition.
Expanded Programme on Immunization
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is a programme designed to provide vaccination services to children in Nigeria.
The programme aims to provide protection against infectious diseases that have a major impact on children, such as polio, measles, and yellow fever.
The EPI has been responsible for the eradication of polio in Nigeria. It also continues to play a critical role in reducing the burden of infectious diseases in the country.
Free medical outreach programmes
The government and non-governmental organizations have implemented several free medical outreach programmes across the country.
These programmes provide healthcare services to people living in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The focus of these programmes is on disease prevention, screening, and treatment. They have been successful in increasing access to healthcare services for many Nigerians.
Public-private partnerships
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as an effective way to improve public health in Nigeria.
The government has partnered with private organizations to implement various health programmes, from disease control to health infrastructure development.
These partnerships have been successful in improving access to healthcare services, reducing costs, and driving innovation in the health sector.
Improving public health in Nigeria is a critical challenge that requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
Although significant progress has occurred, there remains substantial work to bridge the care gap.
Initiatives like the National Strategic Health Development Plan, National Health Insurance Scheme, and public-private partnerships are positive steps towards a healthier future for Nigerians.
Read: Pediatrics in Nigeria: Shaping the Future of Healthcare
The Role of Technology in Bridging the Gap in Care
Public health in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including limited resources, inadequate medical facilities, and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals.
These challenges contribute to a high mortality rate and poor health outcomes for Nigerians, particularly in rural areas.
However, technology can play a critical role in bridging the gap in care by providing innovative solutions to enhance healthcare delivery and access to necessary medical services.
Read: Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Medical Profession
Telemedicine
Involves the use of telecommunication technologies to deliver medical services and healthcare information remotely.
Telemedicine can be in the form of virtual consultations or the use of mobile apps that connect patients with healthcare professionals.
Telemedicine can enhance access to medical services for people in remote locations, especially those with limited transportation options.
Additionally, telemedicine can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional medical services.
Mobile Health
Is also known as mHealth, is the use of mobile devices and applications to provide medical services and monitor health conditions.
Mobile health can provide a wide range of medical services, including remote consultation, medical reminders, and disease monitoring.
In Nigeria, mobile health has been used successfully to provide maternal and child health services, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services, and tuberculosis care.
Electronic Health Records
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of conventional medical records. EHRs are designed to improve healthcare delivery by increasing the accessibility and accuracy of patient data.
In Nigeria, the adoption of EHRs has been slow, but their potential for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria is immense.
EHRs can significantly reduce the time and effort required to access and retrieve patient data and improve the quality of care by reducing medical errors.
Read: Top Institutions to Study Phlebotomy in Nigeria
Online Health Education and Awareness Campaigns
Health Education and Awareness Campaigns are one of the most effective ways of raising public health awareness. As well as educating people on health-related issues.
Online Health education and awareness campaigns can increase the understanding of health issues and encourage people to adopt healthy behaviors.
In Nigeria, online health education and awareness campaigns have been used successfully to educate people on malaria prevention, family planning, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Use of Drones for Medical Supplies Delivery
In Nigeria, drones for medical supplies delivery hold the potential to revolutionize public health and healthcare delivery. Technology can bridge the care gap by offering innovative solutions for enhanced healthcare access.
Embracing telemedicine, mobile health, electronic health records, online health education, awareness campaigns, and drones is crucial for stakeholders to provide optimal healthcare services in Nigeria.
Read: A Career in Cardiology: A Heartbeat of Nigerian Healthcare
Conclusion
Despite efforts to improve public health in Nigeria, there are still significant challenges facing the system. These challenges include inadequate funding, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of healthcare workers.
However, there have been some notable efforts to improve public health outcomes in Nigeria.
These actions comprise increased government investment in healthcare, deploying healthcare workers to underserved areas, and implementing policies to enhance healthcare access.
One area that holds great promise for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria is the use of technology.
Electronic health records, telemedicine, and mobile health technologies all have the potential to bridge the gap in care and improve health outcomes for Nigerians.
Despite these efforts, there is still a great deal of work to be done to improve public health in Nigeria. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and citizens must all play a role in making a sustained commitment to investing in public health.
Investing more in public health is not only a moral imperative but also crucial for Nigeria’s economic development and prosperity.
Prioritizing public health enables longer, healthier lives and fosters a prosperous and equitable society.
There are reasons for hope amidst the challenges in Nigeria’s public health.
By leveraging technology and investing in healthcare infrastructure, Nigeria can bridge the care gap and ensure access to high-quality healthcare for all citizens.
Nigeria must redouble efforts and call on all stakeholders to take action in improving public health.
