A deep dive into the state of health charities in Nigeria

Nigeria’s healthcare system is often described as overburdened and underfunded with millions left without access to essential medical services if not for health charities. Having a population that exceed 200 million, the country faces persistent health challenges, including high maternal and infant mortality rates, the prevalence of infectious diseases, and limited healthcare infrastructure. 

In the face of these struggles, health charities, both local and international, have stepped in to bridge critical gaps. These organizations provide medical aid, advocate for better policies, and support communities in dire need. 

But despite their contributions, they face significant obstacles that hinder their impact. This article explores the role of health charities in Nigeria, their achievements, the challenges they encounter, and the future of healthcare philanthropy in the country.

The role of health charities in Nigeria

Health charities are significantly helpful in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare needs gaps. They carry out medical work in areas that are not well served, facilitate public health advocacy, and seek to influence healthcare delivery policies.

Most run mobile clinics to cater to the rural population that needs basic medical services. Some seek to educate the population and raise awareness of health practices and prevention of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

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Some focused on and provided maternal and child health services like prenatal and postnatal services, safe deliveries, and immunization. Also, charities normally come to the aid of patients who need medical treatment but do not have the financial resources to seek such medically needed care.

Apart from the delivery of services, these organizations also engage in advocacy as well as policy formulation. This includes direct collaboration with governmental bodies lobbying for the improvement of healthcare policies, the allocation of more resources to medical programs, and increasing accountability in the health system.

The impact of health authorities in mounted policy formulation affects the country’s health system, makes available information, and collects relevant data through research. Often, these charities partner with hospitals, universities, and international organizations to maximize both the impact and sustainability of their aid programs.

Key health charities operating in Nigeria

Numerous groups have made important progress towards resolving Nigeria’s healthcare problems. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) offers urgent healthcare support in war circumstances and during epidemic outbreaks. 

The Society for Family Health (SFH) deals with family planning and reproductive healthcare and also combats tropical diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS. Along with maternal and child health, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, started by First Lady Toyin Saraki, aims to train midwives and other health personnel to lower the maternal mortality rate. 

The Health Emergency Initiative (HIE) gives support in medical emergencies to people who can’t afford it, especially patients who need immediate attention. The AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) has also played a major role in the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS, which has helped in controlling the rate of infection in Nigeria. 

These organizations, to mention only a few, work day and night towards better health for people in Nigeria. Still, their work is hampered by a lot of systemic problems that make their impact one-dimensional. 

Challenges facing health charities in Nigeria 

It’s so evident these charitable healthcare organizations can play a significant role, yet, it is baffling why such organizations come across many roadblocks within the country. One of them stems from a fundamental one, which is funding. 

Many nonprofits have an overreliance on foreign funding which can get increasingly difficult to obtain during an economic recession or shifting focus. Due to a lack of local funding, many programs are unable to receive the funding they need, and as a result, most programs are scaled down or shut down entirely.

Bureaucratic red tape is another significant challenge. A charity’s ability to import medical supplies, register new initiatives, or gain approval for health interventions is dependent on government policies and regulations.

Incompetence in the public sector also impacts charities since some organizations have an easier time receiving the necessary permits, while others have to deal with bribe demands to function properly.

Policy changes have cascading effects for health charities. The lack of healthcare facilities in rural areas makes them basic but still prevents them from being able to receive medical assistance. 

The lack of functioning roads and consistent power supplies works against receiving adequate healthcare services such as properly storing vaccines and other medications that require specific temperatures. These regions have their own set of challenges. 

The people in these conflict-ridden areas are vulnerable to nonprofits not being able to reach out due to the lack of basic necessities supporting aid in these regions. Due to fear of being attacked or kidnapped, they are forced to abandon their missions, meaning that many of these skilled health workers are left without means of reaching the people in need of medical care.

Cultural barriers also play a role in limiting the impact of health charities. In some communities, deep-seated beliefs and misconceptions about modern medicine prevent people from seeking medical help. 

Resistance to vaccinations, reliance on traditional medicine, and scepticism toward family planning initiatives can undermine the efforts of healthcare charities. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that combines medical intervention with community engagement and education.

Impact and success stories

Despite the barriers posed, these health charities in Nigeria have been able to record some important achievements. The most notable accomplishment has been the untamed wild poliovirus that used to exist in the country. 

Due to constant vaccination drives by Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigerians were declared polio-free in the year of 2020. 

Efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS have also improved. APIN and similar organizations have provided thousands of Nigerians with antiretroviral therapy, greatly lowering the rate of HIV infection in the country. 

Access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care have saved many lives through the functioning maternal health programs. HEI’s emergency medical aid program for indigent patients in Lagos makes sure that these patients receive treatment in the hospitals at the earliest to save their lives. 

These examples of success illustrate the extraordinary difference health charities could make with appropriate support and resources.

The future of health charities in Nigeria

Nigerian health charities have dire needs and require creative and innovative approaches towards achieving sustainability. They must form new strategies that focus on collaboration between NGOs, the government, and private organizations. 

Health organizations working together with businesses can achieve more funding, better service provision, and extend the scope of health projects. For example, CSR initiatives by Nigerian companies can be used to support health programs.

Funding strategies that work in the long term are equally important. Health charities can open social enterprises, organize fundraising activities, and enlist the support of local philanthropists, which lets these charities raise more funds. 

These charities can also reach out to more people at lower costs by investing in telemedicine and mobile health applications.

Equally as important is reaching out to the community. Charities have to partner with community leaders to change negative behavior and gather the trust that is often needed to meet different cultural barriers. 

Teaching local customs and languages to community health workers can greatly enhance the approval and effectiveness of programs. 

Such education should be incorporated into the training for charity staff who will be delivering services at the grassroots. Creating training packages for doctors, nurses, and midwives is an example of such packages.

By equipping Nigerian healthcare workers with the necessary skills, health charities can create a lasting impact beyond short-term interventions.

Conclusion

Health charities in Nigeria serve as lifelines for millions of people who would otherwise lack access to essential medical services. Their contributions to service delivery, advocacy, and policy reform have played a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes. 

However, these organizations continue to face significant challenges, from funding constraints to bureaucratic hurdles and security threats. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and international partners.

Despite the obstacles, the success stories of health charities in Nigeria offer hope for a healthier future. By fostering collaboration, adopting innovative funding models, leveraging technology, and engaging communities, these organizations can continue to make a meaningful impact. 

The path ahead is challenging, but with sustained effort and support, health charities can help build a more resilient and equitable healthcare system in Nigeria.