When you feel unwell in Nigeria, what do you do?
For many people, the answer is simple: walk into the nearest hospital any hospital register, wait to see a doctor, get a prescription, and go home. If your condition is serious, you might even get admitted on the spot. The whole process can take about 2 to 4 hours. No health insurance required. No need to call ahead. Just show up and you’ll be attended to.
Now, let’s flip the script.
In countries like the UK, US, or Canada, the process is completely different. You can’t just walk into any health facility. First, you need health insurance it’s mandatory or strongly recommended. Then, if you feel unwell, you call your General Practitioner (GP) or Primary Care Physician (PCP). You explain your symptoms, and they either give you medical advice, prescribe something remotely, or schedule an appointment often not the same day unless it’s urgent.
Sounds complicated, right?
But here’s the thing: that “complicated” system is what helps those countries keep their primary healthcare systems strong and relevant. By ensuring that patients go through primary care first, they reduce the pressure on tertiary hospitals, which are meant to focus on more serious cases, training, and research not basic colds or minor headaches.
In Nigeria, we’ve taken a different route. Because anyone can walk into any hospital at any time, even for the most basic health concerns, people often skip over the local health centers. Instead of being the first point of contact, primary health care (PHC) facilities are often ignored or underused.
This has consequences.
Tertiary hospitals are overwhelmed. Primary healthcare centers become irrelevant. And communities are left with health systems that don’t function the way they should.
To be fair, this isn’t the only issue affecting PHC in Nigeria. We also face:
- Poor infrastructure in rural health centers
- Shortages of trained health workers
- Weak referral systems
- Minimal health insurance coverage
- Limited awareness about how the health system is supposed to work
But the habit of using tertiary hospitals for primary care needs is a major contributor to the problem.
So, what can we do about it?
Here are a few key solutions:
- Embrace Telemedicine
Technology can help bridge the gap. Through telehealth platforms, patients can speak to health professionals remotely and get advice or treatment plans without crowding hospitals. - Train and Support PHC Workers
We need to invest in the people at the frontline through training, incentives, and supervision so they can offer quality services confidently. - Improve Infrastructure
A health center without power, water, or internet can’t deliver modern care. Upgrading facilities with solar energy, water supply, and digital tools is essential. - Expand Health Insurance
When people have insurance, they’re more likely to use the system correctly and it also makes the system more financially sustainable. - Educate Communities
People need to understand the role of PHC and how to access care in a way that supports the whole system. Sensitization campaigns are key.
The Bottom Line?
The way we access healthcare in Nigeria feels easy but it’s actually one of the reasons our system struggles. By learning from other countries and improving how we use our health facilities, we can rebuild a stronger, more effective primary healthcare system that serves everyone, especially in our rural and underserved communities.
Let’s not wait for the system to collapse before we start fixing it.
By Muhammad Saddiq
m.saddiq@rhemn.org.ng