Effective service delivery in the health sector in nigeria: causes of low productivity and its public health implication

This is a review paper intended to bring to focus the concept of effective service delivery as applicable in the health sector and the seemly causes of low productivity in the context of our country, Nigeria vis-à-vis its attendant public health implication. The objective of this review work is to determine the extent to which the basic components of health services delivery could contribute to meeting the health care needs of the population or otherwise in our circumstance as a nation. The methodology applied were traditional review of published literatures concerning the subject and bringing to fore the connecting issues to form basis for policy formulation as well as further empirical studies as much as possible. This paper takes a look at the most occurring factors and /or components of effective health services delivery, under three (3) broad components, namely; Health System Infrastructure component, Material and Equipment component and Human Resource component, then, bringing to fore the overbearing feasible causes of low productivity in the health sector in Nigeria, such as poor awareness creation on available services, high cost of services, unavailability of drugs/basic equipment, attitude of health care providers, poor working environment, poor remuneration and sitting of health facilities, by using performance in its various dimensions as the measurable tool in these perspectives. The public health implication of low productivity in the health sector may mean that the spectrum of activities geared toward prevention and control of diseases and or health conditions of public health importance are incapable of achieving or promoting optimal health of the population. In conclusion, it is very necessary that components/factors of effective health services delivery are adequately harnessed in a synergistic approach to solving issues of low productivity at every facet of our development as a nation, state, local government and community.