It is no news that Africa has been bothered by the burden of infectious diseases for a long time.
Despite the advancement of global health, there are still persistent diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, Lassa fever and COVID-19 which have remained life-threatening.
Nigeria having great population plays a role in the global health crisis. Infectious diseases in Africa can become disastrous if not prevented or curbed. Take for example, Lagos, Nigeria is highly populated, hence the spread of infectious diseases is equally high.
Disease outbreaks in Nigeria can be overwhelming because there are a lot of things that are not yet in place such as; adequate healthcare facilities, low availability of professionals, and lack of funds for research.
Nevertheless, Nigeria plays a vital role in curbing the spread of infectious diseases in Africa. Nigeria’s efforts influence neighbouring countries, especially in times of pandemics or disease outbreaks.
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Major Contributors to the Rising Rate of Infectious Diseases in Nigeria
Several factors have been identified as key drivers of the spread of disease in Nigeria:
Inadequate Health Infrastructures
Many hospitals lack the resources, personnel, and equipment for adequate diagnoses. It is sad to hear that some people die because there isn’t a bed space for their treatment. The lack of professionals to help in treatment makes infectious diseases spread rapidly.
Poor Sanitation and Hygiene
Lack of proper sanitation, clean water, and good hygiene makes it easier for diseases like cholera and typhoid to spread rapidly. Dirty environments are suitable for microorganisms to grow and cause havoc, thereby leaving people vulnerable to infections.
Poverty
Some people are not able to afford healthcare costs. People rather stay sick than go to seek medical care because they can’t afford the hospital bills, cost of drugs, and test fees.
The spread of diseases increases when people don’t seek medical attention when they fall ill. When people can’t afford good water, conducive shelter, and good food, they become more vulnerable to diseases.
Poor nutrition, a direct consequence of poverty, results in low immunity, and this aids the spread of diseases.
Low Vaccination Coverage
People’s hesitancy, misinformation, and logistics are some of the factors that result in low vaccination coverage. People who are not vaccinated are more susceptible to infectious diseases.
Climate and Environmental Change
Some climatic conditions are suitable for a particular disease to thrive. For example, a rise in temperature and flooding allows mosquitoes to thrive, therefore increasing the incidence of Malaria and other vector-borne diseases.
Strategies Nigeria Implemented Regarding the Spread of Infectious Diseases
Nigeria has strengthened disease surveillance over the years through the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which has been very dedicated to monitoring disease spread in the country especially, during COVID-19.
Nigeria is improving its emergency response capacity, training health workers and partnering with international agencies like WHO (World Health Organization) and the Africa CDC (Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Government and private sectors are also collaborating to develop digital health tools and awareness campaigns to reduce disease transmission.
Nigeria’s health security is linked to global health outcomes. If a local disease outbreak is not contained, it can become an international crisis. Nigeria should not only protect its citizens but also contribute to global pandemic preparedness by investing in disease prevention.
As the general saying goes, “prevention is better than cure,” so it is better to try to prevent disease outbreaks or pandemics by actively taking part in various collaborations to avoid the spread of diseases. A very good example is the way countries collaborated in order to fight against COVID-19.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria must continue to strengthen its healthcare systems, improve health policies, push for more collaborations, and invest more funds into research to enhance preparedness for disease outbreaks. Nigeria has what it takes to promote the health of its citizens. Cheers to good health!
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