The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has raised the alarm that public health is in danger under the present administration.
It’s President, Alphonsus Isara, said this at the 40th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference And Golden Jubilee Celebration of the association, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Isara said: “Healthcare, especially public health is in danger in the present dispensation.
“The obvious challenges facing healthcare delivery in Nigeria include a very weak healthcare system, depleted human resources arising from massive brain drain especially in recent times, poor infrastructure, health insecurity (healthcare in danger), uncoordinated approach to healthcare, lack of political will on the part of government, etc.
Isara said: “The present political dispensation in Nigeria has ushered in an avalanche of public health issues that are threatening the healthcare delivery system of the country.
“There are many cracks visible in the health system building blocks. He added that
“There is drastic depletion of the health workforce occasioned by brain drain, as many health workers have emigrated in drones from the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures abroad.
“The current socio-economic challenge is an impediment to accessing healthcare for many citizens.
“Medical products including drugs remain out of reach for majority of citizens as a result of policies and sundry conditions that have prevented manufacturing companies from operating effectively in Nigeria.
“APHPN will continue to push for a better healthcare system in Nigeria through advocacy dedicated service delivery, stakeholder engagements, and capacity building of its members.
He added: “APHPN is ever ready and willing to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, other relevant agencies and relevant stakeholders in the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Program of the present government.
The President said that conference will during the plenary sessions and scientific paper presentations proffer solutions to the current challenges in the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria.
“One of the ways to achieve this is to reposition public health services for a better, effective and efficient healthcare delivery.
“Repositioning public health in this political dispensation is an uphill task, but one that must be done.
The President said that the Nigerian health care system is constantly being confronted by outbreaks of several infectious diseases.
He listed the disease to include; Lassa fever, Yellow fever, Cholera, Cerebrospinal meningitis, stressing that the association would advocates for the domestication of the infection prevention protocols at both the community and facility levels in Nigeria.
Isara, however, called for the establishment of the Department of Public Health in all secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in our country.