Poor access to affordable healthcare in Nigeria is having far-reaching consequences on workforce productivity and household finances. According to Tope Adeniyi, Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health, improving healthcare access must be treated as an economic priority, not just a social concern. Untreated illnesses are affecting individuals, families, and communities, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue. The relationship between healthcare and economic development is becoming increasingly important.
The impact of poor healthcare access extends beyond individual wellbeing, disrupting livelihoods, reducing productivity, and increasing financial pressure on households. Employers and communities are also affected when workers are unable to remain productive due to health challenges or when families divert income towards unexpected medical expenses. Adeniyi emphasizes that improving access to healthcare is crucial to improve quality of life and support economic development. A healthy population is more productive and can contribute meaningfully to their workplaces and communities.
Early and affordable access to healthcare enables Nigerians to work, care for dependants, pursue economic opportunities, and participate in national development. The AXA Mansard Health CEO notes that caregivers, including parents, healthcare workers, and professionals caring for ageing relatives, require support systems, particularly access to affordable and available healthcare. The "culture of care" encompasses not only individuals but also employers and communities that support workers. Caregivers themselves need accessible and affordable healthcare to effectively care for others.
The private sector has a significant role to play in closing access gaps in healthcare through technology, innovation, and more inclusive healthcare solutions. Adeniyi identifies health insurance, digital healthcare services, and preventive health initiatives as areas where private-sector intervention can help reduce barriers to healthcare access. The Culture of Care campaign, launched by AXA Mansard Health, aims to promote a wider understanding of the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare in driving economic growth and human development.
As Nigeria continues efforts to expand healthcare coverage and advance Universal Health Coverage, the private sector can contribute to reducing barriers to healthcare access. The AXA Mansard Health CEO stresses that care is not just a social concern but also has significant economic implications. When societies invest in the health and wellbeing of their people, they create conditions for stronger businesses, more resilient communities, and sustainable prosperity.
Healthcare affordability remains a key consideration for households and businesses in Nigeria. The cost of medical treatment can significantly affect household finances and employees' ability to remain economically active. Adeniyi emphasizes that building systems where Nigerians can obtain appropriate healthcare before illnesses become more severe and financially costly is crucial. This can be achieved through accessible and affordable healthcare, which can become a catalyst for human progress.
The Culture of Care campaign is intended to extend beyond the activities of one company, promoting a wider understanding of the importance of care in driving economic and human development. When care is supported by accessible healthcare, its impact extends far beyond health outcomes, becoming a catalyst for human progress. The campaign aims to encourage a collective approach to addressing the challenges of healthcare access and promoting a culture of care in Nigeria.
Key points
- Improving access to healthcare is crucial to improve quality of life and support economic development in Nigeria.
- The private sector has a significant role to play in closing access gaps in healthcare through technology, innovation, and more inclusive healthcare solutions.
- Care is not just a social concern but also has significant economic implications for individuals, families, and communities.
