Public health physicians decry epileptic power supply in health care facilities

The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has expressed concern over the persistent challenges with the electrical power supply in health care facilities in the country. The newly elected president of the association, Dr Terfa Simon Kene, who stated this during an interview with Daily Trust said the situation is often characterised by […]

The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has expressed concern over the persistent challenges with the electrical power supply in health care facilities in the country.

The newly elected president of the association, Dr Terfa Simon Kene, who stated this during an interview with Daily Trust said the situation is often characterised by unreliable electricity and high energy costs.

He said this has significantly hampered efficient healthcare provision and eaten deep into the finances of many health institutions.

He called on heads of health care facilities in Nigeria to imbibe innovative, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective approaches to resolving the electricity supply challenges, including subsidised energy to hospitals, and financial partnership offering high-quality, lithium battery-powered solar solutions, to ensure durability and efficiency.

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Dr Kene said substance abuse is a significant public health menace in Nigeria, spanning all demographic groups, though with higher prevalence among the youths and young adults.

He said the effects of substance abuse include physical, mental, social and economic, on the individual, family and nation.

The APHPN president recommended innovative and pragmatic prevention strategies at all levels of care to address substance abuse in the country.

“School-based prevention and life-skills training should be introduced to curb substance abuse among youths and young adults. Appropriate policies prioritising rehabilitation, rather than punishment, are required,” he advised.

He also lamented that occupational health practice is sub-optimal in Nigeria, with an inadequate regulatory framework and poor policy implementation.

He further said there was a need to strengthen the practice of occupational health through improved legislation, enhanced enforcement, increased awareness and better training.

Dr Kene said the association, under his leadership, will adopt at least 222 primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Nigeria to strengthen service delivery.