INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES FOR DELIVERING HEALTHCARE IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Access to health care services is critical to good health, yet residents in rural and underserved communities in Nigeria face a lot of access barriers that denied them their capacity to get the care they deserved. Improving delivery and access to health care in such areas is an essential issue in healthcare. This paper therefore examines some innovative strategies for delivering healthcare in rural and underserved communities in Nigeria.  Innovative strategies such as telemedicine and mobile health clinics, partnerships with non-governmental organization and the private sector as well as targeted public health campaigns and outreach programme to provide remote consultations, diagnosis, monitoring patients, distant locations and treatment were discussed to offer basic health services, education and awareness about preventive healthcare measures and encourage early intervention for common health issues prevalent in rural setting. The paper also discussed the present nature of healthcare delivery in rural and underserved communities, barriers to healthcare access as well as contemporary challenges to healthcare delivery. It was concluded that engaging in collaborative communal efforts and embracing a multi-faceted approach that combines technology, community involvement, partnerships, and education, will significantly improve outcomes in healthcare delivery in rural and underserved communities in Nigeria. Among others, it was recommended that there is need for technology integration, procurement of mobile health clinics and recruitment and training of community health workers (CHEWS) in the rural and underserved communities in the country.