GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI : A SHAMBLE HEALTH SECTOR IN RETROSPECTIVE
GMB : SHAMBLE HEALTH SECTOR
Nigeria is a big country in Africa and known as 'big brother' of Africa. The workforce of any nation is strong when its healthy. The healthy mind is strong enough to contribute maximally to economic development of the society. In every society its the responsibility of the government to provide healthy environment, make policy that enhance healthy support and favour the society.
A major issue of health sector in Nigeria is that the health sector is sick itself, then who will cure or heal the sickness? Its so unfortunate that previous and outgoing government has not been able to heal the sector. This is a sector that is saddled with the responsibility of promoting healthy living among the populace, whereas the sector itself is suffering and bleeding heavily.
Health sector is a multidisciplinary sector which required the knowledge of expertise put together to achieve a desired effect. Every personnel in the industry has its due place thus requires its due recognition. As a common saying 'a tree cannot make a forest' if this saying is true, then a section of the health cannot operate the health sector successfully. There are various sections in health industry : Nursing Department operated by Nurses, Medical department operated by Doctors, Pharmacy department lead by Pharmacist, Laboratory department operated by Medical Lab Scientist, Surgical Department lead by Surgeon, Nutrition department organized by Nutritionist, Physiotherapy department charged by physiotherapist, Dental/ Dentistry department charged by Dentist. Others include, Radiology, optometry, and many more. All these department has subunit termed speciality, these specialcities are numerous.These are well trained and seasoned professionals in such department. They have contact with patient directly or indirectly. Then others that also contribute to day-to-day activities of health sector include, administrator, accountant, cleaners, potters, security agents and many more. All these come together to make a hospital highly functional. They are all relevant and plays important role.
The real sickness of the health sector which the officers of the health has diagnosed is 'undisputed rivalry'. A section of the sector see itself has policy maker and chief controller while others are seen as second class citizen. Until this is removed and abolished, the sickness will continues. No section of the health should be regarded as superior. Each of the sections supposed to meet regularly at decision level making which will translate into well being of clients.
Historically, Nigeria health sector wasn't as bad as this. Maternal mortality and morbidity wasn't high as we recorded in early 2000 to date, as well infant mortality rate, HIV/AID death rate to mention a few. Nigeria health sector became comatose since late 80s. Several strike has taken place over the years with recent ones that had been consistent. Last year was the worst of it all in Nigeria History with several strikes by NMA, NANNM, JOHESU, AMLS, MWHUM, and so on. All the parties has cogent agitation, unfortunately, the common masses suffers the grievances of the consequences of the down tool.
Even with the recent ascent of the out going President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on National Health Bill, the various parties aren't satisfied with the bill, thus making the bill controversial. At this stage its expected that all professionals in health industry come together to form an accepted bill .
I want the president-elect, the General of all, General Mohamadu Buhari (GMB) to find a lasting solution to the problem. As you pledged to look into the yearning of Nigerians, should ensure the health sector functions maximally. The first point of call is to abolish this rivalry among the health workers. If Government should make everything available in any hospital while the workers aren't working as a team, then Government effort will be futile. At the ministry of work, there are various professionals such as architecture, builder, quantity survey, civil engineer, urban and regional planning and so, yet no noise is heard. They are working collaboratively, as a team. This is expected to translate into health sector.
My General, as you begin to search for a formidable team, I wish you the best. God bless ministry of health
God bless Nigeria.
OMOLOLA ADAMS O. Rregistered Public Nurse( RPHN)
osogbo, Osun State.
Nigeria is a big country in Africa and known as 'big brother' of Africa. The workforce of any nation is strong when its healthy. The healthy mind is strong enough to contribute maximally to economic development of the society. In every society its the responsibility of the government to provide healthy environment, make policy that enhance healthy support and favour the society.
A major issue of health sector in Nigeria is that the health sector is sick itself, then who will cure or heal the sickness? Its so unfortunate that previous and outgoing government has not been able to heal the sector. This is a sector that is saddled with the responsibility of promoting healthy living among the populace, whereas the sector itself is suffering and bleeding heavily.
Health sector is a multidisciplinary sector which required the knowledge of expertise put together to achieve a desired effect. Every personnel in the industry has its due place thus requires its due recognition. As a common saying 'a tree cannot make a forest' if this saying is true, then a section of the health cannot operate the health sector successfully. There are various sections in health industry : Nursing Department operated by Nurses, Medical department operated by Doctors, Pharmacy department lead by Pharmacist, Laboratory department operated by Medical Lab Scientist, Surgical Department lead by Surgeon, Nutrition department organized by Nutritionist, Physiotherapy department charged by physiotherapist, Dental/ Dentistry department charged by Dentist. Others include, Radiology, optometry, and many more. All these department has subunit termed speciality, these specialcities are numerous.These are well trained and seasoned professionals in such department. They have contact with patient directly or indirectly. Then others that also contribute to day-to-day activities of health sector include, administrator, accountant, cleaners, potters, security agents and many more. All these come together to make a hospital highly functional. They are all relevant and plays important role.
The real sickness of the health sector which the officers of the health has diagnosed is 'undisputed rivalry'. A section of the sector see itself has policy maker and chief controller while others are seen as second class citizen. Until this is removed and abolished, the sickness will continues. No section of the health should be regarded as superior. Each of the sections supposed to meet regularly at decision level making which will translate into well being of clients.
Historically, Nigeria health sector wasn't as bad as this. Maternal mortality and morbidity wasn't high as we recorded in early 2000 to date, as well infant mortality rate, HIV/AID death rate to mention a few. Nigeria health sector became comatose since late 80s. Several strike has taken place over the years with recent ones that had been consistent. Last year was the worst of it all in Nigeria History with several strikes by NMA, NANNM, JOHESU, AMLS, MWHUM, and so on. All the parties has cogent agitation, unfortunately, the common masses suffers the grievances of the consequences of the down tool.
Even with the recent ascent of the out going President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on National Health Bill, the various parties aren't satisfied with the bill, thus making the bill controversial. At this stage its expected that all professionals in health industry come together to form an accepted bill .
I want the president-elect, the General of all, General Mohamadu Buhari (GMB) to find a lasting solution to the problem. As you pledged to look into the yearning of Nigerians, should ensure the health sector functions maximally. The first point of call is to abolish this rivalry among the health workers. If Government should make everything available in any hospital while the workers aren't working as a team, then Government effort will be futile. At the ministry of work, there are various professionals such as architecture, builder, quantity survey, civil engineer, urban and regional planning and so, yet no noise is heard. They are working collaboratively, as a team. This is expected to translate into health sector.
My General, as you begin to search for a formidable team, I wish you the best. God bless ministry of health
God bless Nigeria.
OMOLOLA ADAMS O. Rregistered Public Nurse( RPHN)
osogbo, Osun State.
Comments
Post a Comment