International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Primary health care services in Nigeria: Critical issues and strategies for enhancing the use by the rural communities

Abdulraheem I. S.¹*, Olapipo A. R.² and Amodu M. O.³

¹Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin. Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

²Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

³Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 November, 2019

Abstract

Quality health is a fundamental right of all Nigerian citizens. While primary health care (PHC) centers are relatively uniformly distributed throughout local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, the rural people tend to underuse the basic health services. This article examines some cross cutting issues in PHC and outlines strategies to enhance the utilization of health services by rural people. The responsibility for perpetuating the existing low use of PHC services should be held by PHC policy makers and LGA. Responsible health personnel can build a new social order, based on greater equity and human dignity, in which health for all by the year 2015, including that of rural populations, will no more be a dream but a reality. Capacity building and empowerment of communities through orientation, mobilization and community organization as regards training, information sharing and continuous dialogue, could further enhance the utilization of PHC services by rural populations.