Impact of Nigeria's NCD Policy and Action Plan on Health Care Performance

Abstract

This study assessed the implementation of the National Policy and Strategic Plan of Action on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and the population of this study consisted of employees of the Ministry of Health in the six states of the South-west geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The study used purposive sampling techniques to select 600 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the data obtained were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that social factors, individual behavioural habits, biological and genetic factors, environmental factors and health services are determinants of effective public health status in Nigeria. Not all relevant stakeholders were well captured and considered in the policy development, leading to the gap between the target and the outcome. Furthermore, the policy implementation has not been effective at the grassroots level (F=153.186, R=0.977; p=0.05). The study concluded that attaining the desired healthcare performance depends on health sector reforms geared towards reducing inequality in access to health services and ensuring that public health policy is a product of synergy between the government and all stakeholders.