Kenneth Okolie’s Post

As a concerned Nigerian like you all are , I feel it’s imperative to spotlight the urgent need to elevate our nation’s health standards. Our healthcare system demands immediate and comprehensive reforms to safeguard the well-being of our people. Firstly, promoting health education among non-health professionals is crucial. Empowering everyone with the knowledge to maintain and improve their health is a grassroots approach that can significantly foster a healthier population. Additionally, the establishment of modern laboratories is essential. These facilities will not only advance the development of new medications but also inspire and support emerging biochemists in their research endeavors. Investing in this infrastructure is a direct investment in the future health of our country. Moreover, medical practitioners, who form the backbone of our healthcare system, deserve our utmost priority. Ensuring their welfare and professional development is vital for maintaining a robust healthcare system capable of meeting today’s challenges and those of the future. Let’s support initiatives that aim to raise health standards in Nigeria, fostering a healthier and more prosperous nation -Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu

CATEGORY 3: International Agencies And Healthcare Institutions a.      Healthcare Partnerships Award: Celebrating agencies and institutions that have effectively collaborated with government agencies, other NGOs, private sector entities, and international organizations to amplify their impact and improve healthcare outcomes. b.     Community Health Award: Commending agencies and institutions that have demonstrated a profound impact at the community level, fostering positive changes in health behaviours, hygiene practices, and overall well-being. c.      Award for Disease Control: Recognizing agencies and institutions that have been instrumental in implementing effective disease prevention and control programs, contributing to the reduction of communicable and non-communicable diseases in local communities. d.     Emergency Response Award: Honouring agencies and institutions that have shown exceptional dedication and rapid response during health emergencies, natural disasters, or disease outbreaks, providing critical healthcare services in times of crisis. e.      Capacity Building Award: Acknowledging agencies and institutions that have invested in building the capacity of healthcare workers, providing training programs, workshops, and skill development initiatives to enhance the quality of healthcare services. Eligibility criteria a.      Dedication: the entity has over the years demonstrated extraordinary commitment to a health cause. b.      Location: the preference will be impacted in local communities in Nigeria. c.      Sustainability: the entity has shown brilliance in the long-term sustainability of its work. d.      Impact: The entity should have demonstrated high impact both in program, policy, governance, and service delivery. e.      The entity could be an organization, a social business enterprise, a health institution etc. Kindly visit https://pshan.org/gala/ to nominate now. Deadline for Nominations: August 23, 2024. #PSHANAnnualGalaAndAwardsNight #PSHANAwards #PSHANGala #Nominations #PitchInWithPSHAN  

2024 PSHAN Award Ceremony: Recognizing Excellence in Healthcare We invite you to nominate outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions, achievements, and impact in advancing healthcare in Nigeria. This year's awards ceremony will honour achievements across five categories: CATEGORY 1: FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT Ministries, Departments, and Agencies a. Healthcare Equity & Access Award: Honoring states that have taken concrete steps to ensure that healthcare services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic background or geographical location. b. Healthcare Policy Award: Acknowledging exceptional policy decisions that have positively impacted healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality on a national scale. c. Maternal Equity Advancement Award: This award category is designed to recognize individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have made significant contributions to promoting gender equity and improving the status, rights, and well-being of pregnant mothers in Nigeria. d. Sustainability in Healthcare Award: This award acknowledges and celebrates contributions that aim to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare services, enhance sustainability in healthcare practices, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of both patients and the environment. Eligibility criteria: a. The entity must have demonstrated impact within the last 5 years or have created sustainable impact (programme and policy-wise) over time and is still relevant in recent years. b. The entity cannot nominate itself. c. The entity must not be an individual. Kindly visit https://pshan.org/gala/ to nominate now. Deadline for Nominations: August 23, 2024. #PSHANAnnualGalaAndAwardsNight #PSHANAwards #PSHANGala #Nominations #PitchInWithPSHAN

I haven’t had the opportunity to travel to every state in Nigeria, but I have been to quite a few, seen images, and done my research to conclude that primary healthcare management in Nigeria is extremely poor and below average. Sadly, only about 20% of the 30,000+ PHC facilities across Nigeria are averagely functional. Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are meant to be the backbone of our healthcare system. In Nigeria, however, they are often overlooked despite their huge potential to improve healthcare access. With tertiary and secondary hospitals in urban areas, many rural communities are left without nearby healthcare options, making PHCs essential. I am quite bothered about how a lot of people would have had access to healthcare services without the emergence of digital health startups standing in the gap for primary healthcare! Investing in PHCs can bring healthcare closer to the people who need it most. For many Nigerians, travelling long distances to teaching hospitals is not just inconvenient but also costly, and sometimes the situation becomes life-threatening before getting to the hospital. PHCs can address this gap by providing first-level care for common illnesses, maternal and child health services, and basic preventive care in collaboration with digital healthcare startups. Our state governments should equip PHCs with skilled staff, essential drugs, basic medical equipment, and modern facilities. This will allow our tertiary hospitals to focus on more complex cases while PHCs handle routine health needs. It will even create a cordial relationship between the community/local government area and the medical team assigned to the PHC. To ensure health for all, the Nigerian government must prioritize PHCs. It should not get worse than it is currently! Trust me, a robust primary healthcare system is a lifesaver for millions of Nigerians. ‘Femi Banjo #Healthcare #PHC #DigitalHealth #Nigeria #healthforall

Access to equitable healthcare remains a critical challenge in Nigeria and many African countries. Despite various initiatives, a significant proportion of the population lacks access to basic health services, making quality care a privilege rather than a fundamental right. In rural and underserved areas, limited healthcare infrastructure compels many individuals to travel long distances for basic care. Economic constraints exacerbate this challenge, restricting access to essential preventative and emergency services for low-income families. Furthermore, systemic challenges such as inadequate healthcare funding, workforce shortages, and unreliable access to essential medicines contribute to ongoing health inequities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as women, children, and low-income communities—at risk of adverse health outcomes. A collaborative and multifaceted approach is required to effectively reduce healthcare disparities. Expanding community-based healthcare services can bridge gaps by bringing healthcare closer to rural communities. Strategic investment in healthcare infrastructure and targeted training and support for healthcare workers strengthen health systems and improve service delivery. Furthermore, innovative solutions like telemedicine and mobile health hold transformative potential, enabling direct access to healthcare providers and support in underserved communities through technology. Improving healthcare equity in Nigeria and Africa is crucial for individual well-being and sustainable economic and social development. Prioritizing accessible and affordable healthcare brings us closer to achieving universal health coverage, paving the way for healthier, more resilient communities across the region. #healthequity #healthequality #globalhealth #InSiGHtHealthConsulting

"Nevertheless, South Africa has the potential to draw on its experiences of health inequalities and of the detrimental consequences of historical segregation to build high-quality service delivery for the benefit of all its citizens." In this new political atmosphere in South Africa, where many are grappling with the significance of this pivotal moment in our country's politics, one area that captures my attention, as is often the case in such spaces, is healthcare. Over the years, significant efforts have been made to enhance the quality of healthcare treatment. However, the challenges surrounding healthcare quality and the leadership and governance issues within South Africa's health system are well-documented. As of the time of writing this post, South Africa is navigating complex political grounds defined by a coalition government with diverse healthcare ideologies. This political uncertainty carries profound implications for the health system. Regardless of where one stands on the spectrum of opinions, it is evident that significant improvements in healthcare await our new government. Reflecting on this, I felt compelled to share this critical review of the challenges regarding the quality of health in South Africa that are deeply rooted in the country's history of segregation. Feel free to share your thoughts below!

💡 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 💡 Hi everyone, I’m Akinsanya Oyinkansola, a final-year medical student. Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the lessons learnt from the pandemic, specifically within the context of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and highlight some areas where we still need some improvements. The COVID-19 pandemic tested our healthcare systems in ways we never imagined. In Nigeria, the crisis highlighted the severe unpreparedness of the healthcare sector to manage an overwhelming surge of patients, largely due to the lack of adequate resources. The strain on our hospitals was palpable, and many health professionals found themselves working with limited tools, facing exhaustion and uncertainty. But amidst these challenges, the resilience and courage of healthcare workers stood out. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, health professionals across the country displayed exceptional dedication, often at great personal risk which was absolutely heroic. Another glaring issue was the lack of effective communication to the public about COVID-19. Information about the disease and prevention strategies could have been much clearer, especially in rural areas where misinformation and fear ran rampant. This left many Nigerians vulnerable, unsure about how to protect themselves and their communities. Looking ahead, we must address these critical gaps. The healthcare sector must be better equipped to handle future crises, with investments in infrastructure, equipment, and training. Communication strategies must be more robust, clear, and widespread, ensuring that accurate information reaches every corner of the country. What improvements do you think are most crucial for Nigeria’s healthcare system in the aftermath of the pandemic? How can we better prepare for future health emergencies and ensure that the lessons from this crisis lead to lasting change? Join the conversation and connect with me using #10dayslinkedinchallengebydocxplorer. Let’s learn from the past and work together to create a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for Nigeria and beyond! The pandemic showed us both the immense challenges we face and the incredible capacity for growth and improvement. Together, we can drive change and make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare. #docxplorer #pandemic #covid19

2030 is the target year for achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), to be marked by availability and affordability of quality healthcare for everyone. Nigeria’s UHC index score is under 50%, causing us to worry about what we can do to improve pace. With long-term experience in researching sharp practices in the health sector, we considered how absenteeism (the most damaging corruption in health in sub-Saharan Africa) slows the pace of Nigeria towards achieving UHC. Using the framework developed by WHO-AFRO (the first usage in an academic publication), we found absenteeism exercising grim effects on four areas of healthcare: (1) Constrains demand (2) Impedes physical and financial access (3) Reduces quality (4) Dimnishes trust in the health system. We are underway with a proof-of-concept intervention to address absenteeism in the health sector, which would consolidate the evidence-informed accountability and anticorruption strategies we continue to provide for the health leadership in Nigeria. Read here https://lnkd.in/dnWuX_Vz Muyi Aina Obinna Onwujekwe Muhammad Ali Pate Dr Aloysius Odii Pamela Adaobi Ogbozor Orjiakor T. Charles Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) Research Consortium - SOAS AHOPlatform on Health Systems and Policies World Health Organization The integrated African Health Observatory (iAHO) Chinyere Mbachu National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dina Balabanova Felix Abrahams Obi Adaeze Oreh

In this new series, I will share the various measures we employed to address health-related issues, detailing the challenges we faced in Abia State and how my team and I overcame them. This series will be presented in parts to avoid overwhelming you with information. The health of my people in Abia State and Nigeria at large is of paramount importance to me. My philosophy on improving healthcare revolves around a fundamental question: "How can we build a healthcare delivery service that enhances life expectancy for my people?" To achieve this, we focused on addressing the most vulnerable groups—mothers, children, the elderly, and young teens suffering from conditions such as cardiovascular issues and road accident injuries. To address these challenges, we established healthcare facilities, including the Mother and Child Tertiary Institution, to provide specialized care. In Nigeria, our approach required us to consider two levels of solutions. The first level is preventive care, aiming to reach a point where individuals no longer need to visit hospitals. The second level involves developing a rapid response system for health-related issues across the state and the nation, addressing problems that go beyond preventive measures. Join me as I discuss how we tackled these health-related issues, the time and resources we invested in improving healthcare in Abia State, and how these strategies can be adopted across Nigeria. -Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu

"Healthcare as a Human Right: A Universal Imperative or a Pipe Dream in Nigeria?" The debate about healthcare as a human right has been a longstanding one, with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the National Health Act (2014) in Nigeria, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights all recognizing access to healthcare as an inherent right. But is this right truly universal, and what does it mean in the Nigerian context? The Case for Healthcare as a Human Right: 1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Article 25 recognizes the right to healthcare as fundamental to human dignity. 2. National Health Act (2014): Section 2(1) states that "every person has the right to healthcare services." 3. African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: Article 16 guarantees the right to health and healthcare. The Challenges in Nigeria: 1. Limited access: Many Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare services due to financial constraints. 2. Inadequate infrastructure: Healthcare facilities and equipment are often in disrepair or unavailable. 3. Brain drain: Medical professionals emigrate due to poor working conditions and low pay. 4. Corruption: Mismanagement and embezzlement of healthcare funds hinder service delivery. Proponents argue that healthcare is a fundamental human right, essential for well-being and dignity. Opponents counter that it is a privilege, dependent on individual effort and resources. While international and national frameworks recognize healthcare as a human right, Nigeria's reality falls short. To bridge the gap, the government must prioritize healthcare funding, infrastructure development, and anti-corruption efforts. Only then can healthcare become a true right, not a privilege, for all Nigerians.