How can we Improve the Quality of Healthcare Service at the Primary Level?

About 930 million people worldwide are at risk of falling into poverty due to out-of-pocket health spending of 10% or more of their household budget. Across the world, investments in primary health care improve equity and access, health care performance, calls for accountability of health systems, and long-term healthcare reform

What is primary health care?

Primary healthcare is the first contact a person has with the health system when they have a health problem. Or an illness.It is the provision of health services, including diagnosis and treatment of a health condition, and support in managing long-term healthcare, including chronic and sometimes severe conditions. Primary healthcare includes seeing health professionals to help you maintain good health, with regular health checks, health advice when you have concerns, and support for future purposes.

Factors like limited health providers, inadequate infrastructure, and healthcare costs just to name a few has caused some limitations to the provision of adequate healthcare services While some of these factors are directly related to the health system and access to health services, the evidence is clear that a broad range of factors beyond health services play a critical role in shaping health and well-being. These include social protection, food systems, education, and environmental factors, among others.

Providing quality healthcare

Improving the quality of healthcare is a complex and ongoing process that involves multiple support and investments and including healthcare providers, policymakers, patients, and communities. Here are some key strategies and approaches to enhance healthcare quality:

Prioritize patient needs and preferences in treatment decisions.

• Involve patients in shared decision-making about their care.
• Implement electronic health records (EHRs) to improve information sharing among providers and reduce medical errors.
• Reduce disparities in healthcare access and outcomes by addressing social determinants of health.
• Ensure equitable distribution of healthcare resources and services.
• Ensure that healthcare providers receive ongoing education and training to stay current with the latest medical knowledge and best practices.
• Solicit feedback from patients and healthcare providers to identify areas for improvement.
• Share performance data and outcomes with the public to promote transparency.
• Engage with local communities to understand their unique healthcare needs.
• Collaborate with community organizations to address social determinants of health.
• Focus on delivering high-quality care while controlling healthcare costs.
• Implement strategies to reduce unnecessary tests and treatments.

SUMMARY

Healthcare in Nigeria faces challenges such as limited access, inadequate infrastructure, and healthcare disparities. The government has been working to improve the system, but many Nigerians still rely on private healthcare providers. We hope to be the change we want to see, as it begins with us all