By Catherine Egwuom
The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has called for stronger primary healthcare, affordable treatment and improved workforce to enhance healthcare delivery in the country.
Its Lagos Branch President, Dr Ime Okon, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
She said health insurance coverage had expanded under the Renewed Hope Agenda, improving access to care and easing out-of-pocket expenses.
Okon said compulsory health insurance enrollment has allowed more people to access care by paying for their health needs in advance.
“So that is one very amazing thing that I will say has happened positively to healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” she said.
She, however, acknowledged that healthcare financing still had gaps, adding that coverage was only approaching midway in spite of improvements recorded in the sector.
Okon identified manpower as a major challenge, noting that vacancies for health workers often attracted few applicants in spite of willingness to recruit.
She said infrastructural development was ongoing and of high quality, but stressed that facilities cannot serve patients without adequate health workers.
Okon said Nigeria must intensify efforts in local production of medicines, especially for cancer and other conditions, to make them cheaper and more accessible.
She urged the government to prioritise functional PHCs, affordable healthcare, and a capable workforce and system.
According to her, these measures would enable the health sector to consistently deliver quality care to Nigerians. (NAN)www.nannews
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
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