A medical practitioner, Dr Tunji Akintade, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s healthcare system for effective healthcare delivery.
Akintade, also the Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Lagos State chapter, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, only a state of emergency in the area of adequate funding in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommendation, can resolve the problems in the nation’s healthcare system.
NAN reports that WHO recommended 13 percent of the country’s total budget for the health sector, while the Abuja Declaration recommended at least 15 percent.
The Abuja Declaration was signed in 2001 by all member countries of the African Union when Nigeria hosted the Heads of State of member countries of the African Union (AU).
NAN reports that in the 2018 Budget proposal, Nigeria again ignored the commitment it made alongside other African countries 16 years ago on the funding of healthcare services for its citizens.
In the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 20, 2017, to the National Assembly, he allocated N340.45 billion, representing 3.9 percent of the N8.6 trillion expenditure plan to the health sector.
The allocation is less than the 4.16 percent and 4.23 percent made to the health sector by the administration in the 2017 and 2016 budgets respectively.
Akintade said that the healthcare system in Nigeria has been at its lowest ebb.
“The annual budgetary allocation to the sector was the lowest in the whole universe, considering the country’s large population.
“A lot of health problems need emergency attention from both the Federal and State Governments, especially in the area of funding.
“The primary healthcare, which is supposed to help people at the grassroots, remains at its rudimentary level from one administration to another.
“There is need to enhance all primary healthcare services in the country through the adequate provision of modern medical facilities and health personnel for people to boost the healthcare system,’’ Akintade said.
He said that the emergency approach would resolve issues that bother on health administration, practice, leadership and welfare of all health personnel.
“The three tiers of governments, especially the Federal Government, should collaborate with the private sector at both local and international levels to effectively boost the health status of Nigerians.
“Government should not only focus on agriculture, aviation, among others but should pay attention to the health system.
“Health insurance that seems to improve the health status of people in other climes has been a mirage in Nigeria because many people are not benefitting,” Akintade said.
He also called on all leaders at the primary health care level to follow the standard treatment protocols to reduce health burden.
According to him, helping the health practitioners to form a group practice, bring down advocacy and public awareness to the communities will help to increase demands on health.
Akintade advised that the presidency should directly supervise all new health policies in the country. (NAN)
