By Oladigbo Olalekan, Starnigerianews.com
LAGOS, AUGUST 26, 2024 – The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) 2024 Scientific Week under the theme: “The Imperative of the March towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria” commenced today with ACPN Day’s activities. The sub-theme of the ACPN Day is
“The Unique Place of Community Pharmacists.” The event runs from August 26 to 31, 2024.
Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Lagos, expressed gratitude to the government for its efforts in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Ajayi highlighted that despite these efforts, Nigeria’s healthcare system still struggles, ranking 157th out of 167 countries in 2023. Achieving Universal Health Coverage in line the sustainable development goals by the year 2030 requires addressing key areas such as equitable access to services, service quality, and financial risk protection.
Ajayi emphasized the need for a functional health insurance system, citing successful models from countries like Singapore, Japan, and Sweden. Despite the 2022 Health Insurance Act aimed at affordable healthcare, Nigeria faces persistent challenges, including low health indices and ongoing medical tourism.
To turn around these challenges, Ajayi opined that more focus be given to key areas like:
– Pharmaceutical Care: Advocating for a shift from commoditized Pharmacy Practice to Patient-centred care. With Community Pharmacists playing a crucial role in medication reviews, and Patient counseling.
– Payment Systems: Recommending the unbundling of professional service fees from capitation to ensure transparency and efficiency in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
– Inter-Professional Collaboration*: Encouraging multidisciplinary approaches to healthcare for optimal patient outcomes.
– Health Facility Management: Suggesting that seasoned administrators, rather than solely clinical staff, manage healthcare facilities to improve efficiency.
– Human Capital: Addressing manpower shortages and the impacts of migration on healthcare professionals and regulatory agencies.
– *Drug Distribution*: Promoting the establishment of Coordinated Wholesales Centres to standardize medication distribution.
– Automation: Advocating for Electronic Health Records (EHR) for all patient interactions to enhance data accuracy, avert information loss, and improve quality of healthcare delivery.
Ajayi concluded by acknowledging the dedication of ACPN members and congratulated the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and its affiliates on the Scientific Week celebrations. He also commended Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, for his contributions towards advancing healthcare in the state.
“Together, we shall realize our objectives and return Nigeria to the path of progress and excellence,” Ajayi affirmed.