.jpeg "ACOMIN calls on the government to solve the health sector's lack of infrastructure and skilled labor.")
The organization known as the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has called upon the federal government to tackle the issue of insufficient competent personnel and inadequate infrastructure within the healthcare sector, with the aim of improving the nation's unfavorable health indicators.
Additionally, the group lobbied for the transfer of technology in order to enhance the capacity for local medicine manufacturing.
During the National Advocacy Focused Media quarterly meeting in Abuja, Mr. Ayo Ipinmoye, the National Coordinator of ACOMIN, emphasized the significant impact of the Japa syndrome on the health sector's trained workforce and human resources. He highlighted that there is currently a higher number of Nigerian-trained health workers practicing abroad compared to those practicing within the country.
According to his statement, there is currently a focus on teaching the youth, particularly those who are considered the most talented and capable, with the intention of sending them overseas. However, he emphasizes that without a health staff that is adequately prepared and empowered, the nation will be unable to improve its unfavorable health indicators.
Ipinmoye expressed concern over the prevalent reliance on imported pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, highlighting the substantial financial resources expended each year on drug imports. This situation contributes significantly to capital flight inside the country.
As per his assertion, it is imperative to facilitate the transfer of technology in order to foster the capacity for local drug manufacturing.
Ipinmoye made a request to the federal government, urging them to allocate a larger portion of the nation's resources into the health sector. This appeal emphasized the need for the country to reduce its reliance on external donors and foreign partners for the funding of its healthcare system.
The individual observed that in order for the government to adequately tackle the diverse health issues prevalent in the nation, it is imperative to possess precise and easily accessible data. This necessitates the implementation of a technologically advanced information system that caters to all users of data.
Furthermore, Ibrahim Tajudeen, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund in Nigeria, emphasized the imperative of promptly addressing the issue of inadequate and precise data inside the nation's healthcare system.
The speaker emphasized the significance of statistics in illuminating the various difficulties encountered by the healthcare system in Nigeria. Efforts to enhance resource provision and optimize governance have been undertaken; nonetheless, the formidable obstacles encountered in managing data and population have persisted throughout the years.
There are consistently encountered challenges in the implementation of practical aspects and a lack of effective integration within the program. "It poses a challenge when we engage in planning activities with limited resources at our disposal, and strive to maximize the value derived from said resources," he stated.
Tajudeen emphasized the pressing necessity to promptly fix the perceived inadequacies of the data system in the country.
In reality, if there is a matter of utmost urgency that warrants immediate attention, it would be the declaration of a state of emergency concerning our data system. According to his statement, the anticipated outcome of increasing funding for the healthcare industry may not be realized unless precise data is utilized in our endeavors.
For instance, if one were to push for more resource allocation from the government and private sector funders towards a malaria program, it becomes imperative to consider the availability of accurate and reliable data. Without access to high-quality data that accurately captures the number of individuals affected by malaria within a certain timeframe, the availability of real-time data becomes compromised.
The conflation of aggregate data and quality data has hindered our ability to utilize the available data effectively in order to inform decision-making. The current demand for malaria medication in Nigeria is evident. The speaker emphasized the reliance on estimations for planning purposes.
According to Tajudeen, the National Malaria Elimination Programme has been unable to provide a definitive figure on the number of fever cases reported in hospitals across the country in the past six months.