A Nigeria Health Watch report:
More hereRecently, we visited one of the more successful community health insurance programmes in Obio, Rivers State of Nigeria. This programme is managed by a tripartite arrangement between Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC), the Rivers State Government and the people of Obio communities, which can be described as a people/public/private partnership to deliver on health care.
Involving the ‘people’ is a principle that receives a lot of lip service but is rarely implemented. In Obio, people are definitely involved. Leadership for the entire project is provided by a community development board, and they decide on all important issues including fund allocation. The traditional ruler is very involved in ensuring that community governance arrangements are in place.
All over the country, hospitals are empty because doctors are on strike, so why is this hospital in Obio buzzing with activity? In this small cottage hospital in the heart of Port Harcourt, there are about 300 deliveries a month, constant power, at least two doctors on site 24/7, an ambulance on standby 24/7 and yet most people do not pay more for their care beyond a N7,200 contribution per year as part of a Community Health Insurance Scheme. This programme, was initiated by SPDC as part of their community health, when they came to the realization that just building and giving infrastructure and equipment to communities was not working and to really achieve sustainable development, people have to be active participants in social services targeted at them.
