PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS IN NIGERIA
Why do public health matters in Nigeria?
Health is wealth. But in Nigeria context, public health is actually the engine of National survival and the maintenance of state.
Public health is not just about the hospitals, it is the backbone of national stability, economic growth and social equality as said earlier.
Because Nigeria is the most populated nation in Africa, it health outcomes have massive ripple effect on the rest of the continents. Why?
1. Economic Stability
Economic stability or Human capital in other words. As Nigeria is called the giant of Africa, however a large population is only asset if it is healthy and productive.
In Nigeria a single outbreak of severe malaria or cholera can push a middle class family into extreme poverty.
But public health insurance and primary health care prevents this.
2. Nigeria is currently undergoing an epidemiological transition. As you are reading this, you should know that we fight two wars at once.
- Communicable Disease
This includes old enemies like polio , lassa fever, and tuberculosis.
- Non communicable Disease ( NCDS)
We have massive rise in lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, and cancers in urban centers like lagos , kano , and port Harcourt.
Public health helps to protect millions of individual lives through health education about non communicable diseases.
3. Bio surveillance
Public health acts as an internal security for biological threats.
The Nigeria center for disease control ( NCDC ) is the Frontline for global health security. Without strong public health surveillance, an outbreak could become a global pendamic within days.
Also High maternal and infant mortality rates lead to social unrest. Effective health services ( like basic health care provision fund ) help to stabilize communities ( All done by public health ).
4. In Nigeria, there is a massive or big health gap between the wealthy in cities and the poor in rural areas, public health is correcting the Urban and rural health areas.
In the public health system, public health matters because it focuses on the primary health care ( PHC ) level. This is the only way to reach the unreached nomadic populations, rural farmers, and those in conflicted areas like the North East.
Public health is about keeping communities healthy, preventing diseases, and promoting wellness through education, policies, and services. Vaccines, clean water, and health campaigns.
Adogo Chwanuh is a versatile creative, SDG's advocate, public health student. Taraba State University, jalingo
References;
Federal Ministry of Water Resources & National Bureau of Statistics.(2021). Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM 2021): A Survey Report. Federal Government of Nigeria. [https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng](https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng)
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2024–2028: Strengthening preparedness and response. NCDC. [https://ncdc.gov.ng](https://ncdc.gov.ng)
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. [https://sdgs.un.org/goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
World Health Organization. (2022). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: Special focus on Nigeria. WHO Press. [https://www.who.int](https://www.
who.int)
