Universal Health Coverage: Expert seeks improved health system
A General Physician, Dr Tunji Akintade, has called for the strengthening of the nation’s health system, saying it is critical to the delivery of quality, affordable care and attainment of universal health coverage.
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Akintade, former Chairman, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), said this in an interview with the Newsmen on Monday in Lagos.
He noted that to reduce morbidity, mortality and misdiagnosis of medical conditions, the health system demands adequate funding to be sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
According to him, an effective health system thrives with trained and motivated health workers, well-maintained infrastructure, and reliable supply of medicines.
He said that although the country has several articulated health policies, implemention has always been the problem.
“If we mobilise billions of naira and inject into the health sector without addressing gaps in human resources, obsolete equipment and medicine production, there won’t be commensurate and desired impact on service delivery and health outcomes. In developed countries. they don’t buy equipment, they go for lease and the government has to guarantee the lease of those equipment. So ,the government has to be involved in leasing today,” he said.
Akintade called for a health system that would be effectively monitored, evaluated and scalable to impact the population and promote development.
He stressed the need to improve the planning and implementation of digital health systems to accelerate primary health care.
Akintade noted that digitalising health systems would improve quality of care, early disease detection and intervention, efficiency of the health workers and access to healthcare services.
He appealed to the three levels of government to create an enabling environment that would encourage more investments and public/private partnerships in the health sector.
NAN/PUSONAM, VICTORIA
