COVID 19: The Aftermath

COVID-19: What Next?

Our problems actually began on the 27th day of March 2020 when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive to Corona virus in Lagos.  Since then, the COVID 19 has turned out to be a catastrophic disaster not only in Nigeria but globally. It has resulted in sad and unfortunate deaths. People not only in Nigeria but all over the world are dying daily , fighting invisible enemy

In our country, just like in other countries ,it is incontrovertible that the disease has not only brought into light our  errors ,it has also resounded the need to free our people from the shackles of poverty,restructure our economy, improve the standard of living of our people and above all, radically revamp the weak health sector. Nevertheless,it is a clarion call for us and an opportunity to set things straight in many ways for our own good. 

The lessons to be learnt from this pandemic are too many but this essay narrows it down to the health sector which is unarguably the most important.

OUR HEALTH SECTOR.

The health sector not only in Nigeria but the whole world is the worst hit from the virus. It is really shameful to say that our country Nigeria has never been prepared for a time like this.            The lack of commitment to prioritizing health funding and infrastructure has been shown by the virus.

At the "Abuja Declaration" of 2001,African countries pledged to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to healthcare.  But it is really disturbing to  that post 2015, Nigeria has never allocated more than 5% of it's budget to healthcare.     Out of the three key developmental sectors of the economy which are Security, Education and Health , it is indeed surprising that the health sector is the most underfunded.  This speaks volumes on the lack of commitment of the government towards overall wellbeing of the health sector.

In the 2020 budget, the health sector had a meagre budget of 427.30 billion naira allocated to it. This is just 4.14% of the budget--a direct contravention of the Abuja Declaration. 

It will indeed be evil not to recognize the mind blowing donations by various well meaning Nigerians to the fight against the virus.  But from another perspective, it yet again shows our "fire brigade" approach to situations.   We don't have to wait for pandemics and emergency situations before such donations and healthcare centers are constructed for the masses.    

From another perspective also, it shows that a lot can be achieved in the healthcare sector through the combined effort of the government and the private sector if the will is there.

The effects of our lackadaisical attitude towards our health sector are not far fetched because the statistics are there to see.

According to the Internet, 20% of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria, between  2005 and 2015 , approximately 600,000 maternal deaths occurred in Nigeria and only 61% of women have access to antenatal services . Even  the poor remuneration of health care providers like doctors, nurses, midwives and laboratory attendants leaves much to be desired , no wonder thousands of doctors leave the country annually in search of greener pastures  which has resulted in the poor doctors to patients ratio we have today.

The list goes on and on and it not at all encouraging.

However, all hope is not lost. It is said that he who does not know where he is coming from does not know where he is going. Now that we fortunately know where we are coming from we can change the narrative for good.

Firstly,the "Abuja Declaration" which outlined 15% of the budget to be allocated to healthcare should be strictly adhered to to ensure a total overhaul of the health sector and proper remuneration for medical practicioners

Secondly, a strict ban should be imposed on medical tourism, i.e travelling outside the country for medical treatment. One of the reasons our healthcare system is not taken seriously is that  Nigerian politicians and bourgeoisie travel outside for medical care leaving the poor masses to suffer for their actions. Most human right activists have pointed out that if the virus was something that could be treated abroad, the donations would never have come and the well to do would have fled from the country since for treatment, leaving the poor and vulnerable to suffer . Our politicians should strive to see that the quality of healthcare  in our nation is close to what is obtainable abroad

Thirdly, our abandoned hospitals and laboratories used for research should be revived and healthcare centers should be established in at least every community.  The target should be self sufficiency all areas of medicine because self reliance as a nation is one of biggest lessons the pandemic has taught countries of the world ,Even the super countries are really struggling to contain it

Moreover, the government should work on providing good accomodation for the poor and  indigent in the country . Affordable decent settlements should be provided for the poor and indigent so as to curb such rapid spreading diseases when they come.  

Morestill, at our level as a country we should start involving technology in the health sector. In a country like Nigeria , stories of ambulances being stuck in traffic should not be heard when helicopters can do the job . Also, fast spreading disease like COVID-19 can be reduced  when drones assist doctors in monitoring patients in hospitals.

In conclusion , it should not be forgotten that the health sector is the bane of every economy. Even the strongest of human beings fall sick from time to time and without an up and working health sector, there will be a very weak workforce to steer the economy . 

A stronger Health Insurance Scheme should be set up too to strengthen the health sector . Our country is numerically strong if every working class Nigerian has 300 naira deducted from his or her bank account monthly, we will have trillions of naira to pump into the health sector monthly.This in turn will go a long way in strengthening the work force of the economy, help us achieve our long and short term goals and help us regain our stand as the giant of Africa!.

 Peter Umeh Jr

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

300level