Problems and Achievements of the Nigerian Health Care System
Chapter One
Aims and objectives
The study aimed at assessing the problems and achievements of the Nigerian health care system Specifically the study sought to:
- Assess Nigerian health care system versus SDGs
- Investigate problems confronting Nigerian health care system.
- Establish possible measures to improve the trend.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Health and Healthcare in Nigeria
WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. It is an acceptable state of wellbeing expected for every single person in a society.
According to Eme, Uche & Uche, healthcare is “the provision of suitable environment which is aimed at the promotion and development of man’s full potentials”. Healthcare is therefore the conventional efforts or attempts geared towards achieving complete or physical, mental and social wellbeing.
The healthcare in Nigeria is engaged via three echelons; primary level, secondary level and tertiary level (Ademiluyi & Aluko-Arowolo, 2009). These echelons exist at Local Government, state and federal level respectively with the aim of taking care of health problems.
Despite the hierarchical institutional arrangements of healthcare in Nigeria however, there is no doubt that it remains an endeavour which has not found a favourable attention from Nigerian stakeholders Organisation (WHO) accepted three essential objectives of a healthcare system which include: fair financial involvement; the responsiveness of healthcare workers; and good health (WHO 2010). Achievement of these goals is dependent on how healthcare systems perform the following functions: rendering of proficient health services; resource generation such as healthcare financing; and health investment such as material and human resources (Oyibocha et al., 2014). Nigeria operates a mixed healthcare delivery system comprising conventional and traditional delivery systems. Provision of healthcare in the country is the function of the three tiers of government: federal, state and local government.
The primary healthcare, provides essential health services and the responsibility of local governments with some assistance from the state and federal governments. The state governments provide secondary level healthcare and service delivery through general hospitals.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Problems and achievements of the Nigerian Health Care System. Ministry of health Bayelsa State forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Problems and achievements of the Nigerian Health Care System. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of a Problems and achievements of the Nigerian Health Care System
Summary
This study was on Problems and achievements of the Nigerian Health Care System. Three objectives were raised which included; Assess Nigerian health care system versus SDGs, investigate problems confronting Nigerian health care system and establish possible measures to improve the trend. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from ministry of health Bayelsa State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
We thereby conclude that the Nigeria Health Sector is replete with inadequacies and shortcomings and weaknesses in the areas of capital, material and human resources which hinder effective health care delivery services. The Nigeria Health Sector can only be improved if Nigeria statesmen are less self centred but much more committed to health policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Significantly, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) must also insist that necessary facilities are put in place so that doctors can be encouraged to uphold professionalism as negligence is presumed until the contrary is proved. We should note that in law, the hospitals and the owner are liable for the negligence of their servants and there is a liability also whether the doctors do not act for reward or not. Both the principal and agent (Hospital Owners and Workers) are vicariously liable for any negligence arising from inadequacies and challenges in the health sector. Thus, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Hospitals Management Board, the State Minister of Health, the Chief Medical Director and the entire hospital are liable for the negligence in the health system
Recommendation
On a final note, we want to conclude by drawing the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the words of Adam Smith; “No society can surely be flourishing and happy of which greater part of its members are unhealthy, poor and miserable” This scholar solicits for unreserved support and full commitment of the political elite, health policy makers, and power elite in charge of public affairs to accord topmost priority to issue bothering on the health care delivery system so that Nigeria can be ranked as advanced country at least in health jurisdiction. Once again health matters should not be subjected to political rhetoric and bureaucratic red tapism or rigmarole as life has no duplicate.
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