It is disheartening to report that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. According to the World Bank, the average life expectancy in Nigeria is a mere 53 years, ranking among the lowest globally. This is a stark contrast to countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein, where citizens can expect to live up to 84 years or more. The reasons for this disparity are multifaceted, but one major factor is the country’s inadequate healthcare system.
Many Nigerians struggle to access basic healthcare services, leading to unnecessary deaths from treatable conditions. Dorcas Olaniyi’s heart-wrenching story is a testament to this struggle. She lost her child in 2022 due to the lack of timely medical attention, a tragedy that could have been avoided with proper healthcare. Nigeria’s healthcare system is plagued by inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of medical staff, and limited access to health insurance. The country has less than one doctor for every 2,220 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio. This shortage is exacerbated by increased emigration due to unfavourable work conditions.
How Nigeria can address life expectancy issues.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that Japan has a doctor-to-patient ratio of 2.6 to 1,000 people, while Nigeria has less than 100,000 doctors serving over 200 million Nigerians. To address this crisis, Nigeria must prioritize healthcare reform. One crucial step is to increase enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme, which currently covers only about three percent of the population. Japan, on the other hand, has enrolled 29 million people under its National Health Insurance System – about 24 percent of its population. Increasing access to health insurance would reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses, making healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.
Furthermore, Nigeria must address socio-economic factors affecting life expectancy, such as income inequality, education, and unemployment. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that higher Unemployment rates have adverse effects on life expectancy in Nigeria. Therefore, policies addressing these challenges are crucial to improving life expectancy. Also, Nigeria must invest in Education and awareness programs to promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. This includes educating citizens about the importance of regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and proper hygiene practices. By empowering citizens with knowledge, Nigeria can reduce the burden of preventable diseases and improve overall health outcomes.
Infrastructure is vital to the success of healthcare.
Another critical area of focus is Nigeria’s inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Many communities lack access to basic healthcare facilities, and existing facilities often lack essential equipment and supplies. The government must invest in building and equipping modern healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to ensure equal access to healthcare for all citizens. Nigeria must address the issue of brain drain in the healthcare sector. Many medical professionals emigrate to other countries in search of better working conditions and higher pay.
To stem this tide, the government must improve working conditions, offer competitive salaries, and provide opportunities for Professional Development to retain medical staff. The government, private sector, and Civil Society must collaborate to address this crisis. By working together, Nigeria can build a robust healthcare system that provides quality care for all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographical location. The time to act is now, and the future of Nigeria’s citizens depends on it.
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In all, Nigeria’s life expectancy crisis requires urgent attention. By prioritizing healthcare reform, increasing access to health insurance, addressing socio-economic challenges, investing in education and awareness programs, improving healthcare infrastructure, and addressing brain drain, Nigeria can work towards achieving its life expectancy goal of 70 years. It is time for the country to measure up and ensure that its citizens have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives. Nigeria must prioritize healthcare in its national budget. The country’s budget allocation for healthcare is currently inadequate, and this must change.