Studies from Duke University Have Provided New Data on Epidemiology [Is Nigeria on course to achieve universal health coverage in the context of its epidemiological and financing transition? A knowledge, capacity and policy gap analysis (a …]: Epidemiology

2023 MAR 23 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Research findings on epidemiology are discussed in a new report. According to news originating from Durham, North Carolina, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “This study aimed to assess Nigeria’s preparedness to finance and drive the universal health coverage (UHC) agenda within the context of changing health conditions and resource needs associated with the disease, demographic and funding transitions.”

Funders for this research include Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation.

The news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Duke University: “Nigeria is undergoing transitions in the healthcare system that include a double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases, and transition from concessional donor assistance towards domestic financing for health. These transitions will affect Nigeria’s attainment of UHC.Design and setting We conducted a qualitative study, including semistructured interviews with relevant stakeholders at national and subnational levels in Nigeria. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants Our study involved 18 respondents from government ministries, departments, and agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and academia. Capacity gaps identified by respondents included limited knowledge to implement health insurance schemes at subnational levels, poor information/data management to monitor progress towards UHC and limited communication and interagency collaboration between government agencies and ministries. Furthermore, participants in our study expressed those current policies driving major health reforms like the National Health Act (basic healthcare provision fund) appear adequate to support UHC advancement in theory, but policy implementation is a key challenge due to a lack of policy awareness, low government spending on health and poor evidence generation for information to support decisions.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Our study found major gaps in knowledge and capacity for UHC advancement in the context of Nigeria’s demographic, epidemiological and financing transitions. These included poor knowledge of demographic transitions, poor capacity for health insurance implementation at subnational levels, low government spending on health, poor policy implementation and poor communication and collaboration among stakeholders. To address these challenges, collaborative efforts are needed to bridge knowledge gaps and increase policy awareness through targeted knowledge products, improved communication and interagency collaboration.”

For more information on this research see: Is Nigeria on course to achieve universal health coverage in the context of its epidemiological and financing transition? A knowledge, capacity and policy gap analysis (a qualitative study). BMJ Open, 2023,13(3). (BMJ Open - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/). The publisher for BMJ Open is BMJ Publishing Group.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064710.

Our news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Osondu Ogbuoji, Center for Policy Impact in Public Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States. Additional authors for this research include Gavin Yamey, Wenhui Mao, Ipchita Bharali, Yewande Kofoworola Ogundeji, Nneka Orji, Kelechi Ohiri, Oluwabambi Tinuoye.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)