World Health Organisation has demanded for effective implementation of the self-care policy launched by the organisation in 2019 and adopted by Nigeria, noting that many Nigerians still face lots of barriers in accessing services in typical health facilities.
WHO Technical Officer, Human Resources for Health and Self-Care Interventions, Olumuyiwa Ojo, made this disclosure at a National Stakeholders’ Meeting to Review Self-Care Indicator Framework in Abuja, Monday.
He explained that WHO’s policy will help the Federal Government introduce measures to alleviate effect of disruption to services, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-care, according to him, is the ability of people to undertake health services, especially what they can do to stay well, avoid being sick, and treat themselves.
WHO Technical Officer explained, in the past there was self-medication, where people treat themselves with medicines that are not allowed by the policy. But through the self-care policy, devised a measure to show that certain interventions, commodities and drugs are available over the counter, with the support of trained health workers.
He said, “Specifically, there are some interventions that people can use by themselves. We have the ones for non-communicable diseases. As we speak, you can measure your blood pressure by yourself. There are people who are insulin-dependent who have diabetes and have to inject themselves. But this particular guideline is talking about family planning products, like the self-injection DMPA-SC, and over-the-counter contraceptives.”
John Snow Incorporated In-Country Lead for Self-Care Accelerator Project, Miranda Buba Atere, who also spoke at the event disclosed that Nigerians had always adopted the national self-care guidelines for sexual reproduction and maternal health but there is need to ensure they do it safely.
