HEALTH CARE QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA PUBLIC SECTOR; ISSUES AND PROSPECT

Brian O. Ogbonna*, Charles E. Okafor, Ejim C. Ejim, Uzodinma U. Samuel, Eel N. Grace,
Ikebudu C. Chiadichiem

ABSTRACT

Quality management promotes effectiveness and patients satisfaction to treatment and health care services, leading to improved outcomes and quality of life. Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually in medical tourism to Europe and Asian countries especially United Kingdom and India due to falling standard of services and practice in her health care delivery system. This article examined the quality management in Nigeria health care system and brought to the fore the limitations and solutions. Quality management is a dynamic process necessary at all levels of health care delivery to promote good service delivery and patient satisfaction while promoting a holistic, efficient and rational service delivery. Nigeria has grappled with poor health indices. However, embracing quality management through reengineering of her policies and health care practices will promote better service delivery in the new millennium to save her from scarce foreign exchange lost annually to medical tourism while exploring the frontiers in health service delivery for better patient care.

Keywords: Quality, management, health care, outcomes, policy, Nigeria.