Nigerian public health doctors want more medical pros running local health teams. The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria asks for doctors with special public health training to lead as Medical Officers of Health across all Local Government Areas. They believe this change would tackle health problems, create better health rules, and help people stay healthier overall. The group's president, Alphonsus Isara, spoke about this Monday at a press event in Abeokuta before their yearly meeting.
Their conference focuses on "Primary Healthcare Delivery in the Face of Multidimensional Challenges" and covers issues like drug use among young Nigerians, mental health care, and better disease tracking. Isara pointed out that just 40% of local governments currently have properly qualified Medical Officers of Health. He stressed that adding more medical officers would help fix the many problems blocking good healthcare for everyone.
According to Isara, several obstacles stand in the way of better Nigerian healthcare. These include politicians who lack commitment, healthcare systems that don't work well, overworked medical staff without enough support, run-down buildings and equipment, and safety concerns. The association says it wants to team up with the federal government to find real solutions that can actually be implemented.
Isara explained that Nigeria faces both infectious diseases and chronic health conditions, as well as growing mental health needs. He emphasized that all healthcare players must focus on community-level care to address these issues. The doctors' group also called for every secondary and tertiary medical facility across Nigeria to create Public Health and Community Medicine departments. They believe this would help fight the rising number of both types of diseases affecting Nigerian citizens.
Their conference focuses on "Primary Healthcare Delivery in the Face of Multidimensional Challenges" and covers issues like drug use among young Nigerians, mental health care, and better disease tracking. Isara pointed out that just 40% of local governments currently have properly qualified Medical Officers of Health. He stressed that adding more medical officers would help fix the many problems blocking good healthcare for everyone.
According to Isara, several obstacles stand in the way of better Nigerian healthcare. These include politicians who lack commitment, healthcare systems that don't work well, overworked medical staff without enough support, run-down buildings and equipment, and safety concerns. The association says it wants to team up with the federal government to find real solutions that can actually be implemented.
Isara explained that Nigeria faces both infectious diseases and chronic health conditions, as well as growing mental health needs. He emphasized that all healthcare players must focus on community-level care to address these issues. The doctors' group also called for every secondary and tertiary medical facility across Nigeria to create Public Health and Community Medicine departments. They believe this would help fight the rising number of both types of diseases affecting Nigerian citizens.
