Health Care Expenditure in Nigeria and National Productivity: A Review
Matthew Idowu Olatubi *
Department of Nursing Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
Olufemi Oyebanji Oyediran
Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Iyanuoluwa Oreofe Adubi
Department of Clinical Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Oluwakemi Christie Ogidan
Department of Nursing Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
National productivity of any nation is a function of the health of such nation which is usually an offshoot of how much such nation invests into the health care system. This paper assesses the health care expenditure of Nigeria and resultant effects on the national productivity. An overview of literature shows that health care expenditure in Nigeria is very poor and low compared to other developing nations even in Africa. The little money that is made available is invested majorly in the curative aspect of health care as against preventive health care that promotes national productivity. This paper suggests that to achieve the much needed improvement in national productivity, special attention must be paid to increasing national investment in health sector especially in primary prevention.
Keywords: Health care, expenditure, national productivity