Don calls for attitudinal change to save healthcare sector
NAN-HG-8
Healthcare
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Ayo Arowojolu of University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan, has called for attitudinal change of all stakeholders to save the health system of the country.
Arowojolu, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, made the appeal on Friday as a guest lecturer at the annual general reunion of Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association.
The ceremony has as its theme: “The challenges of the Nigeria Health Care System’’.
He said that the health system was facing many daunting challenges which have affected the country’s health indices and demographic statistics.
According to him, research now showed that the average life expectancy of Nigerians at birth has dropped from 54 years in 2005 to 45 years in recent years.
Arowojolu that the poor state of the health system was attributed to the collapse of the primary and secondary tier levels of medical care.
He attributed archaic and substandard nature of health facilities as the major challenge to healthcare delivery system in the country.
“Some states in the federation still rely on the old general hospitals built by the colonial masters pre-independence while many facilities lack modern day equipment needed for the current trend in medical facilities,’’ he said.
He said that this has resulted to a rise in medical tourism where wealthy Nigerians travel abroad for medical attention.
Arowojolu said that research also showed that more than 5,000 Nigerians travel abroad for medical attention every month resulting in loss of N78 billion annually to capital flight.
The gynaecologist said that unemployment and lack of political will by the Federal and most State Governments to invest adequately on health have combine to compound the problems of healthcare delivery.
“Poor funding of health occurs at all government levels. Nigeria has a low domestic commitment to health, with less than five per cent of the country’s GDP going to health.
“In spite of WHO recommendation that countries should spend at least 10 per cent of their GDP on health, the country has very low budget allocations for health,’’ he said.
However, he said that the solution to the healthcare challenges would start with attitudinal change which perceives Nigeria as a single entity.
“This should be coupled with the establishment of healthcare centres for the provision of basic healthcare services such as immunisation against the major infectious diseases, mother and child healthcare.
“Others include family planning, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases, including STI and the provision of basic diagnostic tools.
“It is important to note that the successes of developed countries in their health services are the provision of adequate emergency care services,’’ Arowojolu said.
Arowojolu called on the government to make ambulance services available and mandatory in all local government areas which are lacking in most Nigerian communities.
The National President of the association, Mr Biodun Jolaoye, said that the lecture was timely in view of the fact that the concept of healthcare system has always been faced with ill health.
Jolaoye said that the annual event always dwells on issues of national interest, adding that speakers are only distinguished old boys. (NAN)
MAM/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola