NIGERIAN CITIZENS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO MAKE OUR HOSPITALS WORK

A group of Nigerian citizens has organised themselves to lead a community-based campaign to improve the functionality of hospitals and primary health care centres across the country. Consequently, they have launched the “MakeOurHospitalWork Campaign”.

The #MakeOurHospitalWork Campaign has decried the fact that several billions of naira invested in Nigerian health sector over the years have unfortunately not translated to a significant improvement in the quality healthcare delivery at the various Primary Health Centers and hospitals across the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the 354 campaigners from the 36 states across the country, they traced the unfortunate situation to corruption, minimal involvement of the people in the governance of health care and a lack of ownership by benefiting communities. They urged citizens to organize themselves, adopt health facilities in their communities, identify their needs, mobilize local resources and ensure active participation in order to be able to provide those health needs.

While decrying the poor state of Nigeria’s health system owing to years of neglect and inadequate investment, the Campaign advocated that every health facility should be able to provide good quality health care to the satisfaction of its users. The group vows to mobilize communities across the country to ensure that healthcare facilities become fully functional, the quality of healthcare services are improved to the satisfaction of the patients, and communities are actively involved in the management of the facilities.

The campaigners organized the Make Our Hospital Work Conference to signal the official takeoff of their advocacy. They encourage Nigerian citizens or residents from any part of the country to join them and make this vision become a reality in their communities.

Signed:

Dr. Laz Ude Eze (Convener) and 353 other members