Abuja: Dr Terfa Kene, President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), has highlighted insecurity, poverty, and systemic gaps as major threats to public health outcomes, despite ongoing government efforts.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kene shared these insights during an interview, emphasizing that while Nigeria has made strides in addressing public health issues, persistent structural challenges continue to undermine progress. He pointed out that insecurity disrupts healthcare systems, forcing health workers to flee affected areas, leaving facilities unattended and limiting essential interventions such as immunisation.
Kene also identified poverty as a significant driver of poor health outcomes, describing its relationship with disease as deeply rooted in Nigeria’s development challenges. He noted that poverty affects access to food and healthcare, worsening key health indicators like maternal and infant mortality. He stressed that without addressing poverty, public health interventions would yield limited results, as many Nigerians cannot afford basic healthcare services.
Furthermore, Kene highlighted weaknesses in the primary healthcare system, noting that an overemphasis on infrastructure without community involvement undermines the effectiveness of health interventions. He pointed out that many facilities lack essential services, such as a stable power supply, which affects vaccine storage and care delivery, increasing operational costs for hospitals.
Kene called for collective responsibility, urging communities, individuals, government, and development partners to collaborate in strengthening primary healthcare systems. He advocated for community-driven support for primary healthcare centres, including funding and maintenance, to complement government efforts and ensure service sustainability.
The association is promoting the adoption of primary healthcare centres, telemedicine services, and partnerships with stakeholders to improve access and enhance community participation in healthcare delivery. Despite challenges like bureaucratic delays, Kene expressed optimism that sustained advocacy and collaboration would yield positive outcomes for Nigeria’s public health system.