Victory for Public Health in Nigeria
Victory for Public Health in Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous and one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. Yet reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) is a leading health challenge in the country. While various programs exist at the national and local levels, our RMNCH health statistics have not changed substantially over the last decade. Indeed, they remain devastating:
One in 13 women die during pregnancy or childbirth
The infant mortality rate is 74 deaths per 1,000 live births
One in eight children die before reaching the age of five
Only 60 percent of women are protected against neonatal tetanus
Only 43 percent of year-old babies have been immunized
These tragic realities have been of great concern to me and to most Nigerians. As a 20-year veteran in the field of public health in Nigeria, I long ago grew weary of witnessing relatives, friends, neighbors and loved ones die during childbirth. I tired of seeing women, girls and newborns die because they lacked access to basic reproductive health services, and my anger escalated accordingly.
A decade ago, my colleagues in public health and I decided to act by advocating for the Nigerian National Health Bill which, among other actions:
Mandates funding for primary health care and minimum health-care packages for all Nigerians
Provides free public health services for vulnerable groups such as children, women, elderly and persons with disabilities
Ensures that children up to age five and pregnant women are immunized against infectious diseases
Establishes village health committees to enhance community participation and ownership in healthcare delivery
. . . .
http://msmagazine.com/blog/2015/01/30/victory-for-public-health-in-nigeria/
