***Healthcare Chief Urges Government Action , Innovation Amidst Growing Health Crisis
Dr. Christopher Otabor, Chief Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, has sounded a grave warning about the impact of Nigeria’s economic crisis on the nation’s healthcare system, stating that it is resulting in an alarming increase in deaths.
“The economy is taking a direct hit on our health system, and people are dying in their numbers. We can’t hide from that, and we cannot afford to keep quiet, fold our hands, and do nothing. We must respond,” Dr. Otabor declared during his keynote address at a lecture organised by the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Dr. Otabor called for innovation among healthcare professionals to mitigate the crisis. “We must think of new ways of doing things and improve the health situation to make the best out of the already bad situation,” he emphasized. He urged the government at all levels to take responsibility and act decisively, noting, “We cannot continue to behave like drunken sailors in a sinking ship. There is a crisis in the land, and things cannot continue as usual.”
Highlighting the severe impact of the economic downturn, Dr. Otabor explained, “Whenever there is an economic crisis, it takes a terrible toll on healthcare. We are facing inflation rates we haven’t seen in recent years, compounded by a high misery index. When you have inflation coupled with unemployment, that’s misery.
Additionally, there’s stagflation due to the lack of economic growth, inflation, and unemployment. These three factors are hitting the system hard, affecting the health of the population.”
Dr. Otabor detailed the cascading effects of the crisis, including disruptions in the healthcare supply chain, reduced demand for healthcare services, malnutrition, late presentation at hospitals, and increased incidence and complications of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“People are not able to access healthcare, and even the supply chain is affected. Many companies are folding up and leaving the country, making the cost of healthcare supplies even more out of reach for ordinary people.
People are committing suicide over a thousand naira anti-malarial medicine because they can’t afford it. Most now patronize quacks because they can’t afford to come to the hospital,” he lamented.
Dr. Otabor called for innovative solutions to reach as many people as possible. “We must come up with new ways to enable us to provide care to the masses despite the economic challenges,” he urged. He also highlighted the broader impacts of the economic crisis on population health, including increased domestic violence, mental health problems, suicide rates, and overall mortality.
“We must take responsibility at both government and hospital levels to ensure we make the best out of the little resources available and address this crisis head-on,” Dr. Otabor concluded.
The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Prof. Saad Aliyu Ahmed, who hosted the event, revealed that the hospital management is seeking collaborative partnerships to drive research programs, including signing an MoU with Base University. Represented by the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Muftau Bioku, Prof. Ahmed expressed unwavering support for the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), emphasizing, “Our doors are open to all.”
In her welcome speech, MDCAN Chairman Dr. Eziechila Bassie highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme, “Crisis Response: Strengthening Health Systems During Economic Uncertainty,” considering the current economic challenges in the country. “We are experiencing unprecedented economic hardship,” Dr. Bassie stated. “The inflation rate is soaring, severely impacting the masses and affecting every aspect of our lives, including health.
Although the Nigerian government has made efforts to reach common Nigerians through the National Health Insurance Act, the percentage of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable, who have benefited remains alarmingly low. One wonders what our health indices will look like in a couple of years if the economic situation is not adequately addressed.”
