The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that the aggregate performance of Nigeria’s health sector in 2013 was not remarkably different from that of 2012 despite some efforts made to address the challenges carried over from 2012.
In an assessment report on Nigeria’s health sector performance in 2013, the association said that the poor performance was as a result of the unsatisfactory amount allocated to the health sector in the 2013 National budget and the slow process of release of funds.
The assessment report issued by the president of the association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, also emphasised that the non-passage of the National Health Bill with fundamental provisions for financing the health of Nigerians, the long delay in inaugurating the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the inexplicable delay in appointing a substantive Executive Secretary of NHIS slowed down efforts at expanding Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
On HIV/AIDS, the report says, “Nigeria still has a lot to do in the fight against HIV/AIDS. There should be better strategies of securing improved results in efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in 2014.”
The assessment report stated that there was no appreciable breakthrough in operational research; a development it pointed out was unconnected with the fact that Nigeria still had no strategic research policy.
“Nigeria does not consider research as a necessary tool for national development. Investment in research by government, corporate bodies and individuals is still at low ebb in Nigeria such that potential Nigerian researchers and inventors are enveloped in a state of diffidence. Those who have the capacity to sponsor research in Nigeria do not believe in it,” the report read.
In terms of infrastructural development in the Nigeria’s health institutions, the assessment stated that the year 2013 witnessed some efforts to upgrade existing federal health infrastructure and equipment with the aim of improving the capacity of the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
It said that it had become a status symbol for Nigerians to travel abroad for treatment, a development attributed to poor medical infrastructure.
The medical association, however, pointed out that it was not all gloomy in the health sector in 2013, as there were some progressive developments; like the eventual reconstitution and inauguration of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other Health Professional Regulatory Councils.
Low Political commitment
It stated that that the developments were as a result of the agitations and committed efforts of the NMA in areas Kidney transplantation, Stem cell transplantation and Cardiac surgeries.
Other achievements in the sector were the launching of more Community Based Social Health Insurance Schemes in various Nigerian communities, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The association urged the Nigerian government to truly take matters concerning healthcare more seriously and allocate more funds to the health sector in addition to firmly instituting Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements in the hospitals/health institutions or the outright outsourcing of some services such as pharmacy, radiography, physiotherapy among others.
It also stated that the low level of political commitment to healthcare by most governments in Nigeria, especially as depicted by the frequent travels abroad by political and public office holders to seek medical care.
The association stressed the need for constitutional and legal framework for health in Nigeria, particularly a National Health Act that would clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Local, State and Federal Governments with respect to the three levels of healthcare, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals.