As mentioned in the previous post, the healthcare system in Nigeria is very poor. Not only does Nigeria’s healthcare system lack proper medical knowledge, systems and equipments but it doesn’t even include the elderly, the fastest growing demographic in Nigeria. Not because they don’t need care but because Nigeria can not afford to provide care to its elders. Healthcare for the elderly is a lot more expensive than that needed by other demographics, because the care that they need is a lot more extensive than the care needed by say, mothers and children. For that reason, more resources and attention are spent on them versus on the elderly. This lack of proper distribution to the elderly in Nigeria, can be seen in the lack of social security, the nonexistence of health care programs services, and the newness of health insurance which is only accessible by the rich.
This distribution of resources is seen not only in the government but also in families. In a typical household, most of the income should be distributed to the older persons in the family considering that they have the greatest needs. But because not all families have the ability to cover medical expenses for the older persons that they are living with, due to other expenses that they may have, (ie. food, shelter, kids, education) many do not spend their income or attention on the elderly.
The lack of healthcare given to elders results in an increasing burden for many families. Those who do spend their resources to provide for the elder persons in their life are unable to distribute their finances to other deserving aspects of their life. Those who do not, have elders who die early from preventable diseases and disabilities.
It is, therefore, necessary that not only should Nigeria make some major changes in the adequacy of its healthcare system but they should make sure that it includes geriatrics and services providing for older persons. In addition, they need to increase the pension and benefits that older persons are supposed to be receiving but do not necessarily get so that proper medical care will be more accessible for them. As a nation, we should want the best for the elders in our midst, similarly to how parents want the best for their kids. After all, regardless of our age, we are all humans in need of love and care.
References:
Akanji, B. O., Ogunniyi, A. and Baiyewu, O. (2002), Healthcare for Older Persons, A Country Profile: Nigeria. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50: 1289–1292. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50319.x
Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Saheed Olayiwola and Sunkanmi Odubunmi, 2011. The Impact of Health Expenditure on the Elderly in Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 8: 212-218.
Welcome MO. The Nigerian health care system: Need for integrating adequate medical intelligence and surveillance systems. J Pharm Bioall Sci 2011; 3:470-8
thenigerianelders 