Aligning building capacity with improved service delivery important for universal health coverage, says don

A public health expert, Dr Olajumoke Adako-Iyanda, has said that to achieve universal health coverage, matching competencies with population needs as well as increasing capacities for health worker production to align with demand for improved service delivery should be prioritised.

Dr Adako-Iyanda, a health system specialist with the World Health Organisation, spoke on “Building a Strong Foundation: Education, Key Skills, and Exploring Different Careers in Public Health” at the annual departmental week of the Nigerian Association of Public Health Students of the Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State.

According to her, increasing capacities for health worker production have so far been mainly hospital-centred at the expense of the production of health personnel more oriented towards the delivery of comprehensive care, including promotional, preventive, and curative care.

Dr Adako-Iyanda stated that training institutions for health workers should in their philosophy, also embrace issues of their social responsibilities and show commitment to quality, equity, and relevance, with an emphasis on public or community health.

She added, “Human resources for health are pivotal to the function of the health system and critical to achieving universal health coverage, health-related sustainable development goals, and national health sector goals.

“The world currently faces a human resources crisis, with severe shortages more common in low- and medium-income countries, and this has highlighted the need for high-level public health education to add specific capacities to the workforce.”

The public health expert also quoted studies indicating poor adherence and enforcement of standards for professional education, licencing, and practice to be widespread in the health sector.

“This has been attributed to the global call for an increase in the production and distribution of health workers, with efforts geared towards achieving this with quality and professionalism often neglected.

“This often results in health workers leaning on their discretion in providing services, taking into consideration the levity of professional norms and standards. Often, this may result in actions that may not necessarily be beneficial to the patient or population.”

Mr Alawode Gbadegesin, the founder and chief executive officer of VoiceIT, stated the need for networking and professional development in the public health space.

According to him, such networking requires a deliberate and conscious act and shouldn’t be for self-interest or pursuance of self-agencies, just as professional development will open opportunities for career advancement, hone existing skills, learn new ones, and build one’s network.

Earlier, acting dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Professor James Ndako, charged members of the association to see a bright future in the public health profession, have a target to achieve in their chosen field of public health, and stand for quality and best practices in their career.

The head of the department of public health at the university, Dr. Opeyemi Oladunni, said in her welcome address that the theme of the week, “Why Public Health,” was chosen because public health provides the platform, tools, and purpose to address health inequalities, collaborate across disciplines, and create meaningful change, and contribute to a sane and healthier world for all to live in.

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