Primary health care activities of the Nigerian youth service doctor: Implications for medical education

Abstract

One of the major obstacles to effective health care delivery in Nigeria is the mal-distribution of health facilities and manpower. Within the existing health institutions, there is also an imbalance between curative care and preventive or promotive activities in both urban and rural settings. A National Youth Service Scheme under which fresh graduate doctors are required to provide Primary Health Care through the Basic Health Services Scheme to well defined populations, especially those in the rural areas was expected to redress these defects. With more than two decades since the inception of the scheme, this study assesses the extent to which the objectives of the scheme have been met, especially in relation to community based health promotive and preventive Primary Health care activities of Youth Service Scheme Doctors. Strategies for improving the impact of the programme on primary Health Care delivery to the affected communities are also discussed.

Keywords

• youth service doctor
• medical education