Does the Nigerian health sector need family medicine?

Abstract

Family medicine plays a vital role in enhancing healthcare delivery, yet its importance remains underrecognized in Nigeria. This article evaluates the relevance of family medicine in Nigerian health care industry where the healthcare system faces significant challenges, including limited access to care, an overburdened tertiary system, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. This article assesses the value of family medicine in the Nigerian healthcare sector, which is beset by a number of problems such as a lack of healthcare experts, a tertiary system that is overworked, and restricted access to care. Family medicine, with its focus on holistic, patient-centered, and continuous care, has the potential to address these gaps, particularly at the primary care level. Family physicians provide comprehensive care that addresses not only physical health but also the psychological and social factors affecting patients. They are crucial in managing common conditions and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses. Additionally, family physicians are integral to maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and mental health services, which are critical public health areas in Nigeria. However, family medicine in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including a shortage of trained family physicians, limited government support, and poor integration into the healthcare system. The preference for specialist care, combined with underinvestment in primary care, undermines the role of family medicine in health system strengthening. To address these challenges, policy reforms are necessary to prioritize the training of family physicians, improve funding for primary care services, and raise public awareness about the importance of family medicine. By enhancing the role of family medicine, Nigeria can improve access to care, reduce pressure on tertiary care facilities, and create a more equitable healthcare system. In conclusion, Family medicine is essential for ensuring sustainable and effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria.