Nigeria Health Watch
By Beti Baiye and Thelma Thomas Abeku (Lead Writers) From establishing the National Health Scheme Act to improving upon it with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, Nigeria has made admirable giant strides towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Also commendable is the fact that achieving UHC is more than just a federal priority as […]
Sustained Health financing is an integral part of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and this year, as the world commemorated UHC day on the 12th of December, the theme, “Leave no one’s health behind: invest in health systems for all,” emphasised the need for governments to make smart investments in their country’s health systems. The […]
By Dara Ajala-Damisa and Kemisola Agbaoye (Lead Writers) For reasons ranging from lack of funds and conflicting needs, to long wait times and convoluted registration processes, the average Nigerian would rather self-medicate or go to the neighbourhood pharmacy or chemist when they feel unwell, than go to a doctor. Very few Nigerians can afford the […]
By Rabson Kondowe (Lead Writer) Martha Mastala knew something was wrong with her 5-year-old son when she noticed that he was less jovial than usual, so she took him to Wimbe Health Centre in Kasungu district, Central Malawi, where he tested positive for malaria. The health centre had run out of anti-malaria drugs, but an […]
The COVID-19 pandemic not only exposed weaknesses in global health systems, it also provided us with an opportunity to course-correct and build more resilient health systems that will ensure health security for all. Taking advantage of this opportunity, on September 2 and 3, 2021, the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum convened a 2-day meeting with the […]
There is a global consensus on the importance of strengthening health systems to deliver quality and affordable healthcare to communities, to make them more effective and efficient, and to prepare, detect and respond to disease outbreaks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all individuals and communities receive adequate […]
20th May 2021 | The annual Legislative Summit on Health is a product of the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage. The Network consists primarily of legislators (National and States) with members of the Executive Arm of Government (State and National) and non-state actors collaborating to provide institutional contexts focused on the health sector. It […]
By Thelma Chioma Abeku & Aloysius Ugwu (Lead Writers) “Achieving equity in health care depends on equity in health education” — University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda. Since the global target of Health for All was declared in 1978, Primary Health Care (PHC) is universally recognized as the approach to achieving this goal. A primary health centre should […]
“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 […]