Africa University, [A.U] Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

Africa University, [A.U] Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers Africa University, [A.U] Institute of peace, Leadership and governance, [I.P.L.G] Master 's in Public Policy and Governance (MPPG) Mutare , Zimbabwe Semester Assignment POLICY BRIEF: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA'S HEALTH SYSTEMS; CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES By Ishaya Ajet Hosea Reg Number: 130151 Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the course Course title: Health policy and Health care in Africa Signed Date 04 March 2018 Executive Summary COUNTRY FACTS (2018 ) Population: 190,632,261 Life Expectancy at Birth Total : 53.8 years Male: 52.8 years Female : 55 years Infant Mortality Rate (Live Births) Total : 69.8 deaths/1,000 Male : 74.5 deaths/1,000 Female : 64.8 deaths/1,000 Health Expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2014) (Source: CIA World Fact Book, 2017) The health system of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is currently in need of full evaluation. This is in order for new and revisited policies to fine-tune the wants of the forthcoming shift in infection pattern due to an epidemiological circumference (incidence, distribution, and control of diseases.) This means that the trouble of diseas e shifts away from communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS to non-communicable diseases but most recurring like diabetes. The contemporary health system is not fully built and equipped for the growing number of chronic diseases attacking the growing population of the country. Health care can be delivered at low cost, but in the current case , public health care delivery is notably inefficient and more expensive ly delivered by the private. This puts pressure on the financial situation of the health system. Therefore, policies in Nigeria's public health should focus more on providing access on a large scale. On that account, reinventing the parameters of operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should aim at availing health access with ease for all and put more considerations into sicknesses that are considered minor. To achieve this objective, health facilities need further support by the government of the fe deration to enhance training and proficiency and a comprehensive focus on diseases. In addition, budgetary allocation towards heal ought to increase and be equally distributed across the nation Introduction There have been intense suppositions that Nigeria would reform its health sector. Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa. The country is blessed with many natural resources ( Meo et al, 2014). This makes it one of the richest in the continent. Despite the country's wealth , it is still underdeveloped. The country has passed thr ough different administrations. There have been many outcries from the country and international world. The plea is for the administration to better the lot of the country by increasing the standards of living of its citizens . Nigeria faces many challenges among which health care packages are included. The main health domains informing Nigeria's health care policies and reforms include: genetic makeup, social circumstances, environmental circumstances, behavioural choices, medical care availability . Nigeria's health care budgetary allocation falls in line with the World Health Organisation's recomm endation on health expenditure. According to (World Bank Group, 2018) report, Nigeria currently invest about 5.3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product to the Health Sector. This is in line with the Universal Health Policies UNIVERSAL HEALTH POLICIES Is also known as universal health coverage . This is a specific type of health care where everyone is provided coverage regardless of their income, race, age, pre-existing conditions, gender, or wealth. In other words, as long as you are a legal resident of the region that is being covered, (e.g . Federal Republic of Nigeria ), you are eligible for universal health care. The purpose of universal health care is to provide all citizens with an opportunity to obtain the health care that they may need without having to worry about financial hardship. Currently, the costs associated with privatized health care are really expensive. Private companies set their own costs for insurance premiums, medical tests, and other services in order to make a profit. A universal health care system would be run by the government. The assumption here is that the government would not be interested in making profits, but in promoting the best interests of its citizens. Therefore, a universal health care system would likely result in decreased costs for medical care and