Nigeria and DRC are developing countries in West Africa, and face numerous similar health care problems. Despite the joint efforts of DRC and Nigerian governments, NGOs and donor agencies to offer an effective and efficient health care delivery within Nigeria and DRC, confronting problems make these efforts less than preferred (Oyeneye, 4). These challenging health care problems include inadequate salaries to health care workers, inequitable health services, emerging as well as re-emerging health challenges, for instance, HIV/AIDS pandemic, and brain drain (Oyeneye, 7). Basically, population health regards measuring outcomes of health as well as their determinants (Bukonda et al. 23). If I were the Minister of Health in either country, I would use the measures of health outcome to coordinate and manage the efforts of health care systems and public health groups within the communities to improve the health status of the population. In addition, I would use these measures to set priorities and monitor management of responsibilities of health care workers.
Allocation of Resources
In situations of limited economic resources, like in the case of DRC and Nigeria, it would be prudent to allocate the highest percentage of resources to other societal needs such as education and the environment. Investing in education aids in reduction of health inequalities since it allows people to get safer better employments, adopt preventive health care systems, have health literacy, demand quality health care services, and shun risky health behaviors (“Health Education” 16). Similarly, actions on environmental health may improve the health of population in a sustainable way and improve health equity. Such actions may also make contribution towards realizing six of the eight MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and, therefore, become a precondition for their achievement.
Works Cited
Bukonda, Ngoyi K., Masud Chand, Tumba G. Disashi, Crispin W. Lumbala, and Benoit Mbiye. "Health Care Entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: An Exploratory Study." Journal of African Business 3.1 (2012): 23. Print.
Health Education. Bradford, West Yorkshire: MCB University Press, 1992. Print.
Oyeneye, O. Y. "Mobilizing indigenous resource for primary health care in Nigeria: A note on the place of traditional medicine." Social Science & Medicine 3.2 (1985): 4-7. Print.
