Health advocates have called for stronger policies, clear guidelines, and community education to promote the self-care initiative in Nigeria, especially among vulnerable populations and those facing barriers such as distance, financial constraints, and stigma.
Stakeholders, who made the call at the National Self-Care Advocacy Network, NSAN, meeting on Wednesday, noted that empowering citizens to take charge of their health through self-care is another sure route to ensuring the country achieves Universal Health Coverage.
They also raised the need for more advocacy, grassroots engagement and wider partnerships, noting that the value of self-care cannot be overly stressed, given its relevance during disease outbreaks, as witnessed with COVID-19.
The health advocates noted that vulnerable population, such as those living with HIV, teenagers or the elderly, and those in hard to reach places who will otherwise not seek healthcare because of stigma or reach are denied the critical care that they need due to lack of self-care knowledge.
Describing the concept of self-care, Omolade Ogunlela of the White Ribbon Alliance, said it is the ability of individuals to prevent diseases, maintain or promote health and manage illnesses in the absence of a healthcare provider.
She noted that the goal of the advocacy is to make self-care safer, better regulated, and properly linked to the health system.
“Self-care cannot achieve its full depth if it is limited to the Federal Ministry of Health and implementing partners. We need all hands on deck. You cannot push a health initiative without solid advocacy and awareness. What COVID taught us is that the value of self-care cannot be overstated”
The Executive Director, White Ribbon Alliance, Tonte Ibraye, on his part, described self-care as a tool designed to unburden the health system and save costs, especially in critical humanitarian settings such as conflict and insecurity.
Director of the Health Promotion Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, John Uruakpa, stressed the importance of self-care in safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians, particularly women, children and other vulnerable populations.
“Self-care is about the community and the grassroots; it is no longer optional but a necessity. Strong local structures are necessary to ensure sustainability and ownership of self-care initiatives across the country”.
Unbundling the initiative in a technical session, Mrs Joy Anugwa of the Self-Care Desk at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, warned that self-care does not promote self-medication but equips individuals with the right tools to care for themselves in the absence of a health facility.
She described self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, and cope with illness with or without direct support from health providers.
“Self-care is not replacing the health system. It is an adjunct to it, especially in the face of health worker shortages. It must be safe, effective, and linked to the health system,” she added.
Self-care no longer optional – Stakeholders warn as Nigeria battles health gaps
