Examining Nigeria’s Healthcare Services

As the world celebrated this year’s World Health Day on Saturday, 7th April, 2012, Nigeria’s healthcare services have come under hard scrutiny with some medical experts concluding that the nation’s healthcare is still below par. This has resulted in many deaths, particularly those who are unable to afford the high medical expenses.

World Health Day is an annual event organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and celebrated April 7 every year to commemorate the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected to highlight a priority area of concern. And the theme for this year is: “Ageing and Health: Good Health Adds Life To Years”.

Lectures, discussions, symposia and visitations to health institutions and facilities were among activities held to mark the day.

An examination of healthcare services in the country revealed that a large chunk of Nigerians patronise private health institutions more than public-owned hospitals, because the later are ill-equipped and suffer from paucity of health personnel. Out of the number that patronises private health institutions, majority of them attend traditional medical centres largely because they are unable to afford the high cost of medical services in private hospitals. The development causes the prevailing high mortality rate in the country.

The critical trend has been attributed to the poor implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), established to address the numerous health challenges that afflict the nation and guarantee free or affordable access to healthcare services. Since its inception, the scheme has been characterised by chequered misfortunes which makes it possible for few enrollees to benefit from it.

There is also the problem of poor investment in the health sector resulting in the seeking of medical services outside the country by many Nigerians. This, at least can be described as a loss of faith in our health system and an appalled expression of the dysfunctional state of healthcare in our nation.

What makes it particularly sad is that many travel abroad to treat ailments which could be treated locally at reduced costs. If the right facilities and manpower in the nation’s health system are assured, people would not have to travel abroad to seek medical help.

This year’s World Health Day brings to the fore the question of high mortality rate, especially infant mortality in the country. Apart from the known infant-killer diseases, inadequate breast feeding is a remote factor that contributes to the high infant fatality rate. Emphasis on proper breastfeeding may ensure that children grow well physically and mentally.

It is discouraging that in developing countries such as Nigeria, life expectancy is just 45 years. This will discourage growth and development. The low expectancy is an indication that the average Nigerian is unserious about health. Medical check-up culture is actually non-existent. Many patients visit the clinics or hospitals upon suspicion of ailment in them.

In line with its theme, “Ageing and Health: Good Health Adds Life to Age”, the World Health Day emphasises good health in old age and how it aids older people to live full and productive life. The theme highlights the challenges faced by this category of persons in the country. But it is in doubt if the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which the government has initiated to ensure less painful old age through a viable healthcare scheme and economic boom, volunteer solutions to the problems faced by aged people by 2015, the target year for the programmes.

Statistics released by WHO had it that the number of people aged 80 years or older might almost quadruple to 395 million between 2000 and 2050. This implies that more children would know their grand or even great-grand parents.

WHO’s statistics further indicate that between 2000 and 2015, the proportion of the world’s population of people, who live above 60 years, will double from about 11 per cent to 22 per cent. When broken down, the number of people aged 60 years and above is expected to increase from 605 million to two billion over the same period.

These projections portend danger for Nigeria. The reason being that Nigeria has been experiencing a population growth for, at least, the last 50 years due to very high fertility rates. A United Nations source predicted recently that Nigeria’s population would be 390 million by 2050 and that by 2100, the country’s population would have reached 730 million. What this means is that the population of old people will rise.

WHO’s frightening statistics suggest that Nigeria will be worse for it as the nation lacks the needed long term care for its teeming population, especially the aged. This is moreso when there are indications that the Millennium Goals will be achieved by 2015. The millennium goals determine how well people will age and it is the shoulder on which the country’s health rests.

The entire scenario paints a picture of Nigeria as a nation where state provision for citizens and elders is lacking. This is worrisome indeed. The absence of provision for the aged puts pressure on family members to provide for the survival of elderly people in the family. By taking over what should be a function of government; family members now play the most important role of providing economic security for the aged.

This is a nation where virtually every basic amenity ever known to mankind is lacking. Medical care is not easily accessible and most old persons can hardly afford quality medical care largely due to distance and unavailability of health services particularly in the rural areas.

Our nation has to borrow a leaf from the various viable healthcare systems in other countries where sustainable health services are provided for their people nay the aged. A sure way to begin is by strengthening primary healthcare.

Arnold Alalibo