Building a Healthier Nigeria: The Path to Improving Healthcare and Wellness

At the heart of Nigeria is its people—the tenacious, hardworking, and competitive citizens who drive the country’s growth. The essence of Nigeria’s success lies in the strength of its people, and for this vitality to continue, we must focus on improving our healthcare system. A decline in healthcare quality could weaken this foundation, eroding the very core of Nigeria’s uniqueness: its people.

A Strategic Approach to Combating The Brain Drain in Nigeria’s Health Sector

Did you know that more Nigerian surgeons reside in Los Angeles than in the entire mainland of Nigeria? This reality paints a stark picture of the migration patterns of skilled Nigerian professionals. For over 40 years, a significant number of Nigeria’s brightest medical minds, trained both locally and abroad, have been migrating to more developed nations in search of better opportunities. This phenomenon, known as the “brain drain,” continues to impact Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) reports that while over 80,000 doctors are registered in Nigeria, only about 40,000 are actively practicing. To reverse this trend, we must create an environment that encourages the country’s best minds to stay or return home.

What can be done? First, we need to invest in the professional development of our healthcare workforce, offer competitive wages, and ensure better working conditions. Moreover, providing basic and advanced training, improving infrastructure, and increasing employment opportunities are crucial steps toward retaining talented professionals. A combination of these efforts will foster a sustainable healthcare environment where our skilled professionals can thrive and contribute to a healthier Nigeria.

Primary Healthcare: The Bedrock of Nigeria’s Healthcare System

“A health system is only as strong as its primary healthcare system,” said Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria. Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) were established to provide essential health services to every Nigerian. However, the lack of functional PHCs, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, continues to endanger the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.

To address this challenge, our Adopt-A-Healthcare-Facility-Programme (ADHFP) is dedicated to establishing and revitalizing PHCs across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Here are four key strategies to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system:

1. Increasing investment and funding for PHCs.
2. Strengthening human resources, particularly in rural areas.
3. Improving the health supply chain to ensure access to essential medicines.
4. Enhancing the working conditions of healthcare professionals.

The journey to improving health outcomes is slow but essential. It will require collaboration from the private, public, and government sectors. We are committed to working together for a healthier Nigeria, where everyone has access to affordable and high-quality healthcare.

Project Update: Positive Contributions and Ongoing Efforts

We are thrilled to announce the continued support of three distinguished patrons who are making a significant impact on Nigeria’s healthcare sector:

• Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has committed to adopting 44 PHCs in Kano State.
• Herbert Omyewumbu Wigwe Foundation (HOW) has adopted 23 PHCs across Rivers State.
• Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation (AIG) is adopting 23 PHCs in Edo State.

These contributions have increased the number of adopted PHCs to 181, out of our target of 774. We are grateful to the foundations and their leaders for their commitment to improving healthcare in Nigeria.

In addition, we are working on revitalizing two pilot projects in Delta and Bauchi States. Through engaging stakeholders at both the governmental and community levels, we have made notable progress in securing partnerships with local contractors and vendors. Although much has been achieved, there is still much to be done.

We invite forward-thinking leaders to join our network and support PSHAN in improving healthcare outcomes across Nigeria. Together, we can make a tangible difference.

For more information about becoming a PSHAN member or adopting a PHC through the ADHFP, please contact the Memberships and Partnerships team at memberships@pshan.org.