The search for an effective medical care service for Nigeria

Abstract

Although not always well appreciated by the general public, medical service in Nigeria consists of two main braches or divisions - a Public Health Division which deals with social and preventive medicine and a medical Division which deals with curative medicine. The level and efficiency of the Public Health Service reflects the level of development of a country. By that parameter, Nigeria is very much under-developed. No town in Nigeria is wholly serviced by a Central Sewage System. Most of our towns have open gutters and drainages. The Refuse disposal system is poor. In spite of the need for a shift in emphasis, this paper will center on effective organization of curative medical services in Nigeria. Some of the key issues discussed are: the problems of our hospitals, over centralization of hospital management, relationship of management Boards to Ministry of Health, sharing of responsibility for the Medical Care Services, Finance and manpower development. The paper emphasizes that these days, there is a need to pay more attention to the integrated nature of our health care and the complimentarity of both divisions – medical/Public Health to ensure a national health. It ends with a conclusion and recommendations.



Key Words: Medicine, Public, Health, Hospital and Preventive


(Global J Med Sci: 2003 2(1): 75-79)