
WINNER: Dr Tijani Oseni (Nigeria)
TITLE: BUILDING EFFECTIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TEAMS FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN AFRICA – A CASE OF ISTH FAMILY MEDICINE OUTPOST, IGUEBEN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, like most African countries, the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres are unable to address the health needs of rural dwellers as they lack adequate staff and equipment.
We were able to bring accessible and affordable health care services to the people of Igueben in Edo State, Nigeria using a multidisciplinary team headed by Family Physicians from the department of Family Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. This followed request from the community. The team comprised Family Physicians, nurses, administrators, and community leaders.
We established an outpost where most common medical and surgical conditions were managed at minimal rates. More serious cases that could not be handled at the outpost were referred to ISTH. This ensured access to quality healthcare for the people within their reach and means.
Collaborating with other health workers as well as community leaders is essential for achieving universal health coverage.
ABOUT THE WINNER
Dr Tijani Oseni is a lecturer and Consultant Family Physician/ Head, Lifestyle and Behavioural medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma/ Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria. He is a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCFM) and currently doing a PhD programme in Social and behavioural Medicine in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His research interests are Family Medicine Education, Lifestyle and Behavioural Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Primary Health Care.
He is the Assistant Head, AfroPHC Research Team; a member of the WONCA Working Party on Research; Head Afriwon Research Group; and Research Secretary, Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg).
He teaches Family Medicine and mentors undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. He is passionate about rural Family Practice where he seeks to use effective low cost behavioural and lifestyle approach to bring about improved health care to the rural populace.