THE POLITICS OF SATISFYING BASIC NEEDS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR: THE ROLE OF THE W.H.O. IN THE PROMOTION OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY (ORT) IN NIGERIA
THE POLITICS OF SATISFYING BASIC NEEDS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR: THE ROLE OF THE W.H.O. IN THE PROMOTION OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY (ORT) IN NIGERIA
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Date
1989-03
Authors
USMAN, HAJARA
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Abstract
This study examines the relationship between the
Nigerian state and external forces such as the WHO and
Multi-National Corporations (MNC) and how they shape
Nigeria's health policy.
The state-centric approach was used as the tool of
analysis of public health policy. The study concluded that
the marxist conception of the state and public policy was
more appropriate for the understanding of the nature of
Nigeria's health policy.
The relationship between the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the Medical Industry was made the
nature of this relationship examined and how it influences
Nigeria's health policy.
The study also looked at the nature of Nigeria's
health policy from the colonial era till date and the
evolution of Nigeria's health services. It was shown that
Nigeria's health services evolved from the activities of
missionaries and colonial military. The colonial health
policy was characterised by an urban based medical set up
which neglected the rural population, a maldistributions
which is seen in Nigeria's present health care delivery
system.
The influence of the WHO in Nigeria's health policy is
seen in the policy making and implementation of the primary
Health CAre (PHC), Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) promotion
in Nigeria. The case study of ORT demonstrated that such
externally directed policies are not solely for the benefit
of the Nigerian populace but actually are in the interest of
the dominant class in society who recognise and accumulate
international capital. In a capitalist society the pursuit
of health is no different the pursuit of profit. The state
apparatus is used in the pursuance of this interest which
runs contrary to the interest of the generality of the
population. The study concludes with the fact that it is
only by the replacement of this state apparatus with a
proletarian state, the state policies will be more people
directed.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Award of M.Sc. Degree
(Political Science), Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Keywords
POLITICS,, SATISFYING,, BASIC NEEDS,, HEALTH SECTOR,, ROLE,, W.H.O,, PROMOTION,, ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY,, NIGERIA