In the past few years, Nigeria has experienced some serious worsening of child mortality. Maternal and child mortality rates have increased largely from what it was in 1990 – which is pushing the country to an alarming situation.
The government has to spend at least 5% of the GDP ($86 per capita) on health care to develop the status quo. According to The Guardian, there are many reasons that contribute to this existent increasing percentage.
Firstly, it is not easy for women to access healthcare – long distance, no money, transport problems and many other complications prevent them in doing so. However, if some women do succeed in reaching a facility, then the lack of trained healthcare creates room for several deaths.
It’s not because enough Community Health Workers are not present but because these ‘so-called experts’ lack the necessary healthcare skills that make them applicable for this profession.
Also, deaths can be partly explained by the low vaccination rates in Nigeria. There is a substantial presence of many infections like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and other respiratory toxicities. These elevate the number of occurring child deaths to an even terrifying account; all leading the African country to an even darker and deeper complexity.
Dr. OpeyemiOdedere (advisor of Save the Children international) addressed the Government, on the Universal Health Coverage day, asking for permanent political and financial commitment to UHC.
An investment that can lead to much better results, unlike the private, mandatory and joint funding mechanisms currently under consideration for health service. UHC can ensure essential healthcare to the most disadvantaged population, as well as to the rest of the inhabitants.
The investment can be put to use by beginning with the construction of health services all over Nigeria that can provide all kinds of reproductive care under trained and qualified staff. Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent deaths can only then be minimized. National commitment and spending towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can move mountains relating to the death rate in Nigeria.
