Shuaib Olawoyin

Health they say is wealth and he that is not healthy is not wealthy.

The quote above is quite universal and speaks to the fact that staying alive is as important as staying healthy. In the present age where people in some parts of the world advocate for euthanasia(mercy killing) whereby people with severe pains and terminal health issue will plead that they should be induced to die, one will agree that health is the greatest wealth.

All over the world, governments of various countries have been creative in addressing their local health issues based on affordability and their own peculiarities. The most popular one that seems most appealing to me is the NHS in England that is being funded by the government to provide standard health care for all. Despite the pushbacks the project received in England, it has been globally accepted to be one of the most functional health insurance in the world.

Coming to Nigeria, there has not been any clear cut direction as to what a universal health insurance plan should be for all irrespective of the income class. It is sad to note that Nigeria, despite all the acclaimed wealth and oil money flowing around, has not been able to provide a standard health care for its citizens especially those below the middle-class income bracket.

The Obasanjo regime in 1999 introduced national health insurance scheme which was not made available to all initially. But thanks to private HMOs and private hospitals in the country that have been able to create a health cover for those in the private sector through their employers, contribution and health insurance premium.

Health insurance is a scheme just like a typical insurance business that allow all contributors to have access to the funds when needed as long as their contributions are made. What this means is that you may not have to deep into the pool if you do not need it and will allow others to use it if they need it. The flip side of this is that in case of any health issue, a faithful contributor can access the funds to the tune of the agreed premium for cover.

This scheme can only work in any environment where people are aware, basic amenities are available, infrastructures like energy, pharmacies, medical laboratories are available to support the hospitals. Also, the contributors must also trust the fund manager to be assured that the fund manager will not take undue risk with the funds or embezzle the funds in his custody. Trust is key in any business.

Also, this project can also be localised through the local governments and local health centres. Usually, basic health issues like treating malaria, child delivery and other sundry health issues should be left to the local health centres whilst creating a medium for them to immediately refer to the closest general hospital in case of any major issue. With this, general and teaching hospitals will have the space and time to handle bigger issues and local health centres will be empowered to handle basic issues. The major win about this is that it will take health care to the people where they are.

Riding on the previous paragraph, the government should give enough priorities to proper maintenance and renovation of all health facilities and equipping it with world-class types of equipment that will support the labour force in the sector. The sector's working condition should also be addressed in terms of wages and the living standards of the workforce involved in the sector. This will reduce the brain drain that is currently happening and allow the labour to be domesticated.

Lastly, facilities like accessible roads, electricity and continuous training and human capital development are the few things that the government should give priority to ensure that the investment in the sector will complement each other to achieve the optimum output. Government should also create a window for continuous sensitization of the citizens in areas of hygiene and need to use the health facilities as against self-medication.

I believe with the right collaboration and investment both with the government and the private sector, Nigerians can all have a functional health care irrespective of the societal status and income.