Prof. Oladapo Shittu, an Obstetrics and Gynaecologist from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Tuesday called for a unified healthcare system to improve Nigeria’s health sector.The symposium was organised to mark the 6th anniversary of Prof. Innocent Ujah, the Director-General of the institute. He said that a healthcare unitary system would enable medical experts to strategise on government policies and ensure that every Nigerian benefit from such policy. ``Most countries around the world have single health system, which is centrally operated at their capital cities. ``But our healthcare system in Nigeria is a shared responsibility between the federal, state and local government, which hinders the sole influence of the federal health policies.
``When the Federal Government makes a decision, it is not assured how it will be implemented at the state level, which leads to fragmentation. ``This is why there should be a unitary system that can help us strategise on policies released to ensure that every Nigerian benefit from it,’’ said the expert.
Shittu expressed optimism that the adoption of a unified health system would enable the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health.
Source:Pulse Nigeria
