Why Nigeria is ranked low in healthcare services, by MLSN

Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (MLSN) have explained why Nigeria is ranked low in healthcare services.

The MLSN National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, attributed the drop to the inability of health managers to arrest the increasing infant mortality rate.

Ifeanyi, who declared this in Enugu after the association’s 12th annual public health lecture, added also cited the inability of the country to control the recent outbreaks of communicable diseases in the country.

He also included the ravaging Lassa fever, Cholera and Meningitis in various parts of the country.

The 2017 Mo Ibrahim ranking of health services in African countries had recently placed Nigeria at the 48th position.

He said: “As stakeholders in the healthcare services industry, it is our candid opinion that this poor ranking is largely due to the defective health administrative system in the country. There is also the lack of good governance structure in the delivery of healthcare services.”

The body stressed that in the past, Nigeria produced yellow fever and other human vaccines to meet its needs, and even exported to some countries in the African region.

The national publicity secretary lamented that Nigeria today, has become a dumping ground for all sorts of vaccines, adding that the continuous deployment of these alien microbial-based vaccines among the population poses a serious challenge.

He disclosed that most of the vaccines are produced using alien microbial strains from countries that were trailing behind Nigeria after its independence.

Meanwhile, the Dental Support Foundation (DSF) has canvassed the implementation of the Nigerian Oral Health Care Policy.

The DSF Chairman, Dr. Bidemi Dawodu, made the appeal at the official unveiling of the body, which was incorporated in 2015.

He explained that the prevalence of oral diseases as dental caries and periodontal disease, have been a major source of concern to professionals in the health sector.

The DSF, which is made up of some dental practitioners, said the action would make it possible for primary oral healthcare centres to be established in each local government area in the country.

According to the foundation, it would also improve the oral health of Nigerians, increase oral healthcare awareness, create job opportunities and promote dentistry.

Members of the board include a dental surgeon with over 35 years experience, Dr. Ademola Ademuson, a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr. Akanbi Oluwarotimi, and Consultant General, Dental Practice (Family Dentistry), with Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Dr. Ishaku Danfillo.

Others are a family dentistry specialist with core interest in Endodontics and Aesthetics; Dr. Enere Owoturo, Dr. Dahiru Labo, Dr. Grace Mang, Dr. Bola Awokoya and Dr. Bidemi Dawodu.