Historically, Nigeria had
no formalised planned health services. Provision of medical services was by the
British Army Medical Services to its colonies and protectorates. The birth of
the colonial medical service was marked with the integration of the army and
the colonial government. Free medical services were limited to the army and the
colonial service officers. Non-officers in the environment benefited only as an
incidental service. However, dispensaries and other health care services were
provided through mission and private hospitals, dispensaries and maternity
centres were sparsely scattered in the country.
no formalised planned health services. Provision of medical services was by the
British Army Medical Services to its colonies and protectorates. The birth of
the colonial medical service was marked with the integration of the army and
the colonial government. Free medical services were limited to the army and the
colonial service officers. Non-officers in the environment benefited only as an
incidental service. However, dispensaries and other health care services were
provided through mission and private hospitals, dispensaries and maternity
centres were sparsely scattered in the country.
After the Second World War in 1946, a formalised
health plan was born through an integrated Ten-year National Development and
Welfare Plan (1946 – 1956). This plan was integrated to include all aspects of activities
of the government. Subsequently, the Second and Third National Development
plans were developed in 1970 – 1974, 1975 – 1980, respectively after the civil
war. Each dealt with issues of deficiencies in the health services, health
manpower development, the provision of comprehensive health care services based
on the Basic Health Service Scheme (BHSS), disease control, health management and
planning (Campbell, 2006).
health plan was born through an integrated Ten-year National Development and
Welfare Plan (1946 – 1956). This plan was integrated to include all aspects of activities
of the government. Subsequently, the Second and Third National Development
plans were developed in 1970 – 1974, 1975 – 1980, respectively after the civil
war. Each dealt with issues of deficiencies in the health services, health
manpower development, the provision of comprehensive health care services based
on the Basic Health Service Scheme (BHSS), disease control, health management and
planning (Campbell, 2006).
