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HS 2711-01 Written Assignment

this is a Note from a course Health Science 1 from UoPeople.

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Elizee -a
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25 views

HS 2711-01 Written Assignment

this is a Note from a course Health Science 1 from UoPeople.

Uploaded by

Elizee -a
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

Seven case studies on public health systems are available in the World Health Organization
(WHO) collection. These countries are Estonia, Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Poland, Cyprus, Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, and Republic of Moldova. This essay will compare the public health
systems of Estonia and Nigeria using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
(SWOT) Analysis/Overview method. In order to enhance public health outcomes, the
comparison will highlight important parallels and contrasts between the two systems. It will also
highlight lessons that may be learnt from one another.

Estonia's Public Health System

Estonia has an excellent public health system, with a strong primary healthcare system with a
focus on preventive care and health promotion (WHO, 2017). The country has a strong network
of health information systems (HIS) and a well-organized healthcare infrastructure with a high
provider density, according to WHO (2017). Another noteworthy aspect of Estonia's public
health system is its e-Health system, which allows for e-prescriptions, telemedicine services,
and electronic health data (WHO, 2017).

Nigeria's Public Health System

Nigeria's public health system, on the other hand, faces significant challenges, including a weak
primary healthcare system, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare
professionals (Federal Ministry of Health, 2019). The country's public health system is also
plagued by inadequate funding, poor health information systems, and a high burden of infectious
diseases (Federal Ministry of Health, 2019).

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:
● Enhancing public health outcomes, with a focus on illness prevention and promotion, is
something that both Nigeria and Estonia are deeply committed to.
● The two countries share an excellent infrastructure for healthcare delivery and a highly
developed provider density.

Weaknesses:

● Addressing health inequities is a concern for Estonia's public health system, especially
for marginalized people (WHO, 2017).
● Insufficient funding, subpar health information systems, and a scarcity of medical
experts have a detrimental effect on Nigeria's public health system (Federal Ministry of
Health, 2019).

Opportunities:

● Estonia's e-Health system presents opportunities for Nigeria to learn from and adapt to
improve its own health information systems.
● Nigeria's large population and diverse cultural heritage present opportunities for
Estonia to learn from and adapt to improve its own health promotion strategies.

Threats:

● Infectious diseases like COVID-19, which can put a burden on healthcare resources and
jeopardize public health outcomes, pose a threat to both countries.
● Threats from climate change, which can worsen health disparities and jeopardize public
health outcomes, also exist for both nations.

Key Similarities and Differences

Three key similarities between Estonia and Nigeria's public health systems are:

1. Both countries have a well-organized healthcare infrastructure, with a high density


of healthcare providers.
2. Both countries face threats from infectious diseases and climate change.
3. Both nations are firmly committed to enhancing public health outcomes, emphasizing
illness prevention and promotion.
Four key differences between Estonia and Nigeria's public health systems are:

1. Nigeria's public health system does not have an e-Health system like that of Estonia,
which is well-known for having one.
2. Estonia's public health system is characterized by a strong network of health information
systems, while Nigeria's public health system lacks a similar system.
3. Nigeria's public health system confronts major obstacles in this area, whereas Estonia's
public health system is distinguished by a robust primary healthcare system.
4. Estonia's public health system is well-funded, while Nigeria's public health system faces
significant funding challenges.

Lessons Learned

Estonia's public health system presents several lessons that can be learned and adapted to
improve Nigeria's public health system, including:

1. the benefits of investing in e-Health systems to improve health information systems and
healthcare delivery.
2. The basic healthcare systems need to be reinforced in order to reduce health inequities
and improve health outcomes.
3. The importance of addressing health inequities, particularly for marginalized populations.

Nigeria's public health system also presents several lessons that can be learned and adapted to
improve Estonia's public health system, including:

1. the necessity of addressing disparities in health, especially for disadvantaged groups.


2. The significance of tailoring health promotion tactics to various cultural settings.
3. the significance of allocating funds for human resources and healthcare infrastructure in
order to enhance health outcomes.
Conclusion

In comparing the public health systems of Estonia and Nigeria, several key similarities and
differences emerge. Both countries prioritize primary healthcare and face challenges in
addressing health disparities. However, Estonia's advanced e-health infrastructure and higher
healthcare investment contrast with Nigeria's community-based health interventions and resource
constraints. By learning from each other's experiences and leveraging their respective strengths,
both countries can enhance their public health systems and contribute to healthier populations.
Increased investment in digital health, community engagement, and international collaboration
will be crucial for both Estonia and Nigeria to overcome their public health challenges and
achieve sustainable health outcomes.

References:

Adepoju, P. (2020). Nigeria’s public health challenges: An overview. Global Health Action,
13(1), 1818367. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1818367

World Bank. (2020). Nigeria Health System Improvement Project. World Bank.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/nigeria-health-system-improvement-proj
ect

World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Estonia: Health system review. WHO Regional
Office for Europe.
https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1864982/mod_book/chapter/515671/WHO-EURO-2
017%20Catalog.pdf

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