The National President of the Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners of Nigeria, Balogun Ajiboye, expressed concerns about the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria, which he sees as a threat to the safety of his members. Speaking at the association’s 13th Annual National Scientific Conference in Kaduna, he highlighted the need for increased transparency in addressing the country’s security situation, particularly in healthcare access and service delivery.
Ajiboye emphasized that over 70% of Nigerians seek healthcare services through private facilities, while less than 30% access public healthcare facilities. He noted that the most affected by the lack of healthcare access are poor citizens who often approach private facilities seeking assistance.
The national president also condemned quackery in the nursing profession and the negative publicity it brings, citing a recent case involving the death of a music artist known as Mohbad due to substandard care. He called for a collaborative effort to eradicate quackery and ensure the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria.
In light of the challenges faced by healthcare practitioners, Ajiboye appealed to the government at all levels to address the current economic realities, including fuel subsidy removal and currency deregulation, which impact the cost of healthcare and affect the vulnerable citizens seeking care. He emphasized the importance of healthcare practitioners’ well-being for them to provide quality care to others.