Problems Militating against Qualitative Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: a “Critic” of the Role of Federal Ministry of Health

Abstract

In spite of Nigeria's relentless efforts toward improving the health status of her people, the unstable economic situation and also the lack of political will laudable desire. Over the years, federal government administrations failed to allocate sufficient funds to the health sector. In other words, the percentage of national budget advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is never met. Among other problems identified, is a gross imbalance in the health status and services between urban and rural dwellers. The presumed necessary modifications to positively address this enigma have always been impeded by the following problems: a. Low community participation b. Poor management capacity c. Poor emphasis on promotive and preventive health care delivery. The result of all these factors put together can be attributed to irresolute political commitment in the implementation of plans for improving Nigeria's health sector. These problems are not unconnected with the overall factors stagnating the Nigerian economy and its political and socio-cultural performance. Therefore, any reference made toward sanitising the health sector of this nation would obviously address the various notorious problems that have wrecked the sector for years. One of such notorious problems (apart from inadequate funding) is that medical equipment. These often times are either not available, or are obsolent and above all, are even completely broken down due to lack of maintenance. The Federal Ministry of Health should pivot the course of ensuring a vibrant health care delivery system for the health status of its teeming population. To ensure positive dramatic changes reforms in the Nigerian health sector should cut across budgetary allocation and expenditure, professionalism, equipment and political will.