Nartey S 2013 June 24 Dying Patients In Search Of Basic Heal

Nartey S 2013 June 24dying Patients In Search Of Basic Healthcar

Nartey, S. (2013, June 24). Dying patients in search of basic healthcare in Ghana. (Links to an external site.) [Video File]. Retrieved from Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960. It is comprised of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Nigeria is home to approximately 380 different ethnic groups with 42 percent of the population residing in urban areas.

Like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria experienced a period of civil unrest immediately following its independence. The public healthcare system in Nigeria is loosely based on the British system. Shortly after its independence, the Nigerian government began to expand health services and the way in which it is organized: village level, district level, and local government. The National Health Policy and Strategy to Achieve Health for All Nigerians (1988) guaranteed primary health services to all Nigerians. The following goals were established: increase health education; promote proper nutrition; family planning; improve maternal and child health services; increase immunization; implement prevention programs and control of endemic/epidemic diseases; accessible treatment for common diseases and injuries. However, the Nigerian government has not been able to implement the majority of goals outlined in the National Health Policy of 1988 due to lack of financial resources.

The government administers the public healthcare system and trains medical personnel to serve in tertiary and health clinics operating at the state level. Local governments are responsible for the operation of health facilities within their region. One example is St. Monica’s Health Clinic, located in Yakoko, Northern Nigeria. The clinical leader of St. Monica emphasizes the objectives of the clinic and its importance within the community, especially with regard to maternal and child health. The potential loss of funding for the clinic could have significant implications, including reduced access to essential healthcare services for vulnerable populations, increased maternal and infant mortality, and deterioration of health outcomes in the region.

In terms of epidemiology, Nigeria faces a high burden of infectious, parasitic, and diarrheal diseases, which are the leading causes of mortality. Malaria, measles, and diarrheal diseases continue to account for the majority of deaths. Additionally, there has been a steady increase in other infectious diseases such as cerebrospinal meningitis, yellow fever, and Lassa fever (Federal Ministry of Health, 2000). Moreover, non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are becoming more prevalent over the last decade. HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death in Nigeria, highlighting ongoing challenges in disease control and healthcare delivery.

Paper For Above instruction

The healthcare system in Nigeria presents a complex picture marked by significant challenges rooted in historical, economic, and epidemiological factors. As a post-colonial nation, Nigeria inherited a healthcare framework modeled after the British system, which aimed to provide accessible primary health services across its diverse regions. Despite policy efforts like the 1988 National Health Policy aimed at achieving health for all Nigerians, resource limitations have hampered the implementation of these goals, affecting health outcomes especially among vulnerable populations.

One critical component of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is the network of clinics and health facilities, such as St. Monica’s Health Clinic in Yakoko. Clinics like these serve as vital access points for maternal and child health services, immunizations, and the treatment of common diseases. The importance of such clinics cannot be overstated, particularly in rural and underserved regions where health infrastructure is often inadequate. The potential loss of funding for clinics like St. Monica’s could have devastating implications, leading to increased maternal and infant mortality rates, a rise in preventable diseases, and further widening of health disparities across different socio-economic groups (WHO, 2019). Maintaining consistent funding ensures continuity of care, community trust, and progress toward health equity.

From an epidemiological perspective, Nigeria bears a heavy burden of infectious diseases that account for most mortalities. Malaria remains the leading killer, alongside diarrheal diseases that primarily affect children under five. The resurgence and increasing incidence of diseases such as yellow fever, Lassa fever, and cerebrospinal meningitis reflect gaps in disease control efforts and the need for enhanced public health infrastructure and surveillance systems (Federal Ministry of Health, 2000). While infectious disease burdens persist, there is an observable rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers, due to urbanization, lifestyle changes, and increased life expectancy (Akinyemi et al., 2020). The pervasive HIV/AIDS epidemic also remains a major public health concern, accounting for significant mortality rates, despite international efforts to curb its spread and improve treatment access (UNAIDS, 2021).

Addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges requires a multifaceted approach that emphasizes strengthening health systems, increasing funding, and expanding access to primary health care. It involves improving infrastructure, training healthcare personnel, and implementing effective disease prevention and control programs. International partnerships and policies must focus on sustainable health financing, equitable resource distribution, and community engagement. The tragic consequences of inadequate healthcare services—highlighted by the plight of dying patients with no access to basic health services—underscore the urgency for reforms aimed at achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria. Globally, lessons from Nigeria’s health system reforms and innovations in community health models hold promise for improving health outcomes and equity across similar resource-limited settings (World Bank, 2020).

References

• Akinyemi, J. O., et al. (2020). Noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria: A systematic review. Journal of African Health Sciences, 20(2), 576-589.
• Federal Ministry of Health. (2000). Nigeria national health profile. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.ng
• UNAIDS. (2021). Nigeria HIV/AIDS epidemic update. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org
• World Bank. (2020). Nigeria health sector review: Challenges and opportunities. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Nigeria health profile. Geneva: WHO.