LunagisthubRevolutionizing Healthcare: Why Primary Healthcare Should Get 70% of Budgetary Allocation
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State branch, Dr. Babajide Saheed, has called for a significant shift in health funding priorities, advocating that primary healthcare should receive between 60 and 70 per cent of budgetary allocations across all tiers of government .
Dr. Saheed emphasized that primary healthcare is the most critical component of accessible, preventive, and community-based medical services. Without strong investment at this level, efforts to improve overall health outcomes would continue to falter. Primary healthcare is the backbone of any healthcare system, providing essential services that prevent illnesses, promote health, and reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities .
Unfortunately, the current structure in Nigeria places disproportionate emphasis on higher-level healthcare facilities, neglecting the primary healthcare sector. Dr. Saheed lamented that successive governments have consistently neglected primary healthcare, undermining the entire health system .
Dr. Saheed’s call for increased funding for primary healthcare is a wake-up call for governments to rethink their priorities. By allocating 60-70% of budgetary allocations to primary healthcare, governments can ensure that essential healthcare services are accessible to all citizens, particularly those in rural and underserved areas .
Increased funding for primary healthcare would have numerous benefits, including:
– Improved health outcomes
– Reduced burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities
– Enhanced accessibility and equity in healthcare delivery
– Better prevention and management of diseases
The Nigerian government must take Dr. Saheed’s call to action seriously and prioritize primary healthcare in budgetary allocations. By doing so, the government can ensure that the healthcare system is strengthened, and citizens have access to essential healthcare services .
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