Pursuing Good Health and Well-Being in Nigeria

By Ruth Ajawu

Nigeria has made progress in certain areas of health, such as reducing child mortality rates, increasing immunization coverage, and combating infectious diseases like polio. However, the country still faces many health challenges that impact the well-being of its citizens such as high maternal mortality rate, the increased risk of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare workers.

Insufficient funding, combined with inefficiencies in resource allocation and management, strains the healthcare sector's capacity to adequately serve the population. These inefficiencies affect the quality and availability of healthcare services, impacting the overall health outcomes for Nigerians.

Socioeconomic factors also play a major role in shaping health outcomes. Poverty, low literacy rates, and cultural beliefs often act as barriers, hindering access to healthcare services and contributing to poor health outcomes. 

Additionally, limited access to affordable healthcare financing options and high out-of-pocket expenditures place a heavy financial burden on individuals and families. This financial strain often discourages people from seeking timely and appropriate care, thereby worsening health issues.

Limited health literacy and awareness about preventive healthcare practices, nutrition, and hygiene contribute to the prevalence of diseases and poor health outcomes. Bridging this information gap is crucial to empower individuals and communities to make informed health decisions and adopt healthy lifestyles.

Despite these challenges, there are significant opportunities to improve health and well-being in Nigeria. Increased healthcare financing, prioritizing and enhancing public funding for healthcare, and exploring financing mechanisms like health insurance can lead to expanded access to quality healthcare services.

Investing in strengthening primary healthcare is another option. This includes improving primary healthcare infrastructure, training community health workers, and implementing integrated healthcare delivery models. Such investments can enhance access to essential health services and promote preventive care.

Furthermore, implementing comprehensive health education and awareness campaigns, leveraging both traditional and digital media platforms, can be instrumental in empowering individuals and communities to make informed health decisions and embrace healthy lifestyles.

Collaboration and partnerships across sectors are important. Nigeria should foster collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, and individuals and leverage expertise, resources, and innovation to address health challenges more effectively and efficiently. Achieving good health and well-being for all Nigerians is a shared responsibility that requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders. 

It is time to prioritize health, invest in the future of our nation, and build a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria where every individual has the opportunity to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.