In the new year, citizens have expressed high hopes and expectations for a better-performing health sector.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja, some Nigerians expressed their concern.
From Lagos to Kano, and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, they called for transformative reforms to address systemic challenges, improve healthcare access and ensure equitable services for all.
One recurring demand is for government to allocate more funding to the health sector.
According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, Nigeria’s health expenditure as a percentage of the GDP remains below the recommended standard.
Citizens urged the federal and state governments to prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas.
A community leader in Kaduna, Mr Bashir Adamu, said many of the state’s health facilities are dilapidated, lacking essential equipment and medications.
Adamu called for functional hospitals and well-equipped primary healthcare centres in every local government area.
Stakeholders are also advocating improved access to affordable healthcare services.
Rising out-of-pocket expenditure continues to burden households, especially the poor.
The stakeholders called for an expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF, and the adoption of the Universal Health Coverage, UHC, policies.
A school teacher in Enugu, Mrs Joy Chika Nwankwo, said healthcare should not be a privilege for the rich.
“Government must make health insurance accessible and affordable for everyone, including informal workers,” she said.
With Nigeria bearing one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, women groups and advocacy organisations have called for immediate action to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
A midwife in Maiduguri, Mrs Fatima Usman, noted that there is the need to ensure that every pregnant woman has access to quality antenatal care and safe delivery services.
According to Usman, no woman should die giving birth.
The exodus of healthcare workers from the country is another issue of concern.
Many Nigerians hope that government will address this brain drain by improving the welfare and working conditions of health professionals.
“Better salaries, continuous training and incentives will encourage our doctors and nurses to stay and serve their communities,” said Olu Balogun, a public health physician in Lagos, said.
The recent Mpox outbreak and the lingering threat of diseases like cholera, Lassa fever, and malaria have heightened the call for a stronger public health response.
Public health experts urged government to strengthen disease surveillance systems, improve vaccination coverage and ensure rapid response to emergencies.
“Ngozi Okafor, a parent in Abuja, urged government to invest in public health preparedness and ensure that every child gets vaccinated.”
Citizens are optimistic that the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under Professor Muhammed Ali Pate, will bring the much-needed transformation.
However, they stressed the need for transparency and accountability in implementing health sector policies and programmes.
According to Adebola Taiwo, a civil society activist, we have capable leaders, but they must ensure that allocated funds are used judiciously for the benefit of the average Nigerian. NAN
