Nigeria Health Watch
“Without mental health, there can be no physical health”- Dr Brock Chisholm It is not an uncommon sight to see naked or half-clothed persons roaming the streets of villages, towns and cities in Nigeria. Commonly called ‘Ototolo’ (madmen) by the Ugep people of Cross River State, they live on and eat off the streets and […]
By Aloysius Ugwu & Michael Atima (Lead Writers) When the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom, said “Without health, people have nothing; without health, we have nothing as humanity”, he meant a world where everyone can achieve healthy and productive lives no matter who they are or where they live. […]
Gabriel Oke and Omodolapo Shobowale (Lead Writers) On April 8, 2018, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO) affirmed the linkage between Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and global health security as two sides of the same coin in an interview with Nigeria Health Watch. ‘‘Health Systems Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage […]
Editor’s Note: This week’s Thought Leadership opinion piece comes from Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, a Senior Health Economist. He re-echo’s the importance of Universal Health Coverage in ensuring financial protection for the most vulnerable in our societies, analyses Nigeria’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage, and proffers solutions for the road ahead. Universal Health Coverage is meant […]
The value of vision in our daily living is tremendous. However, many of us tend to take our eyesight for granted, until we develop vision problems. Vision loss has a detrimental impact on the lives of those affected, as well as on their families, friends, and society. Whether sudden or gradual, loss of sight can […]
The best stories of growth in Nigeria have been private sector driven – whether it is in telecommunications, financial services or in infrastructure. So, why have we not felt the impact of the private sector in the health sector, especially on the frontlines of primary health care (PHC)? Almost everyone in Nigeria has directly or […]
Global leaders and health experts will come together at the continent’s seminal health-focused event to identify workable solutions that will strengthen African health services, deliver more effective health security and make significant inroads towards achieving universal health coverage. The Government of Cabo Verde and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa are hosting the second WHO Africa […]
In the push for global health reforms, no initiative has been as uniting as the call for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Governments view UHC as a means to gain political favour and through advocacy, citizens are being educated about their right to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare. In spite of the ongoing advocacy and sensitisation […]
Editor’s Note: This week’s blog comes from a Nigeria Health Watch team member. She writes about coming head to head with the challenges facing Nigeria’s health system during her father’s recent health emergency. Her father is recuperating but the experience led her to think deeply about Nigeria’s emergency healthcare system and what must be done […]
On December 12, the world celebrates Universal Health Coverage Day to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the unanimous United Nations resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality healthcare to every person, everywhere. In Nigeria, the celebration of UHC day is somewhat overcast by the grim fact that only an estimated 1% of Nigerians have […]
We are in May. Later this month we will mark one year into the tenure of the Buhari administration, a quarter of its four-year mandate. Also in May, we anticipate the kick-off of the Minister’s promised “one newly functional” primary health centre per day. The appointment of Professor Isaac Adewole as Minister of Health was […]
These first few days of a new government, ahead of our The Future of Health Conference on the 18th of June, are a good time to reflect on some of the opportunities that could bring about positive change in the health sector. At NHW, it is our view that, despite the euphoria that followed its establishment, the “National Health Insurance Scheme” […]