Lagos:The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) is advocating for stronger primary healthcare, affordable treatment, and an improved workforce to boost healthcare delivery in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Ime Okon, President of MWAN’s Lagos Branch, emphasized the expansion of health insurance coverage under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has facilitated better access to care and reduced out-of-pocket expenses for Nigerians.
Dr. Okon highlighted that compulsory health insurance enrollment has enabled more people to prepay for their healthcare needs, marking a positive development for the country’s healthcare delivery. Despite this progress, she acknowledged existing gaps in healthcare financing, with coverage only reaching midway.
A significant challenge identified by Dr. Okon is the shortage of manpower, as vacancies for health workers often receive limited applications despite recruitment efforts. She pointed out that while infrastructural development in the healthcare sector
is ongoing and of high quality, facilities require adequate staffing to serve patients effectively.
Dr. Okon stressed the need for Nigeria to enhance local production of medicines, particularly for cancer and other conditions, to make them more affordable and accessible. She urged the government to focus on ensuring functional primary healthcare centers, affordable healthcare, and a competent workforce and system to consistently deliver quality care to the population.