Time to Move from Vertical to Horizontal Approach in our COVID-19 Response in Nigeria
Abstract
The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has adversely affected the already weak health system in Nigeria. The choice of whether to use vertical or integrated approach in solving health problems is determined by the peculiarity of the challenges. Vertical programs imply a variety of specific interventions that have not been fully integrated into the health system. The COVID-19 response in Nigeria still operates almost a vertical approach which is headed by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Vertical healthcare programs address health problems through the application of specific measure(s). However, vertical approach alone has proved insufficient in the containment and control of COVID-19. The health system with the integrated services option is required in the proper management of COVID-19. The development of strategies by policymakers is required in the integration of COVID-19 response into the national health system.
Keywords
References
Iyengar, K., Mabrouk, A., Jain, V. K., Venkatesan, A., & Vaishya, R. (2020). Learning opportunities from COVID-19 and future effects on health care system. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 14(5), 943–946. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2020.06.036.
Chen, Q., Liang, M., Li, Y., Guo, J., Fei, D., Wang, L., … Zhang, Z. (2020). Mental health care for medical staff in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4), e15–e16. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30078-x.
Viens, A. M., & Eyawo, O. (2020). COVID-19: the rude awakening for the political elite in low- and middle-income countries. BMJ Global Health, 5(5), e002807. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002807.
Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. NCDC-COVID-19 Situation report. Situation Report 131. Available online: https://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/sitreps/?cat=14&name=An%20update%20of%20COVID-19%20outbreak%20in%20Nigeria (accessed on 9 July 2020).
Béhague, D. P., & Storeng, K. T. (2008). Collapsing the Vertical–Horizontal Divide: An Ethnographic Study of Evidence-Based Policymaking in Maternal Health. American Journal of Public Health, 98(4), 644–649. doi:10.2105/ajph.2007.123117.
Nicoll, A. (2000). Integrated management of childhood illness in resource-poor countries: an initiative from the World Health Organization. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94(1), 9–11. doi:10.1016/s0035-9203(00)90418-8.
Lush, L. (2002). Service Integration: An Overview of Policy Developments. International Family Planning Perspectives, 28(2), 71-75. doi:10.2307/3088238.
Brown, T. M., Cueto, M., & Fee, E. (2006). The World Health Organization and the Transition From “International” to “Global” Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 96(1), 62–72. doi:10.2105/ajph.2004.050831.
Atun, R., & Olynik, I. (2008). Resistance to implementing policy change: the case of Ukraine. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 86, 147-154.
Unger, J.-P., De Paepe, P., & Green, A. (2003). A code of best practice for disease control programmes to avoid damaging health care services in developing countries. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 18(S1), S27–S39. doi:10.1002/hpm.723.
DOI: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2020-02-SI-3
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2020 Olayinka Ilesanmi, Aanuoluwapo Afolabi
