AN APPRAISAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

An appraisal:       local government and health care delivery

CHAPTER 1

          General introduction

Table of contents

Table of cases

Table of statutes

Abstract

1.0     Introduction

1.1     Background to the study

1.2     Aims and objectives of study

1.3     The scope of the study

1.4     Research methodology

1.6     Literature review

1.7     Conclusion

CHAPTER 2

2.0     Introduction

2.1     Defunctive perspectives of local government

2.2     Historical evolution of local government

system in Nigeria

2.3     Status of local government in the scheme of

governance in Nigeria.

2.4     Conclusion

CHAPTER 3

          Local Governance as a third tire of Governance in    Nigeria

3.0     Introduction

3.1     Basic Constitution provisions on Local

Government in Nigeria

3.2     The structure and functions of Local

Government in Nigeria

3.3     The sources of Local Government

Revenue in Nigeria

3.4     A case study on Ilorin East Local Government

3.5     Conclusion

CHAPTER 4

          Primary Health Care Delivery By Local Government

4.0     Introduction

4.1     Definition and theory of primary health care

4.2     Historical exploration of primary health care in Nigeria

4.3     Delivery of primary health care in Nigeria

4.3.1  Components of primary health care

4.3.2  Decentralization of primary health care in Nigeria

4.4     Conclusion

CHAPTER 5

5.0     Introduction

5.1     Summary

5.2     Conclusion

5.3     Recommendations/suggestions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CASES

 

Nigeria: See Attorney General Lagos State v Attorney General of the                      Federation.

 

Nigeria: Attorney General Abia v Attorney Federation (2002) 9 NSCQR                      760

 

TABLE OF STATUTES

 

 

• See section of the Nigeria constitution 1999, Ebere D, The Federal Republic of Nigeria (International Association or centres for federal studies) pp. 1-2

 

• The federal, the States, the executive section 5(1) and section 8(2) and section 7 for local government. The Nigeria constitution 1999 (the constitution shall simply refer to as the constitution). See Akanole J.O, Introduction to the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (MIJ publishers).

 

• Provision of immunization of children against polio, manegitris, cough e.t.c.

 

• Federal Republic of Nigeria Mike (2004) 1 SC (pt 11) 27 at 25 where it was explained that definition are definition because it reflects the idiosyncrasies prejudice or emotion of the define.

 

• Blacks law Dictionary’, (West publishing Co., London 1990) p.60.

 

• The law and Development of Local Government in Nigeria’ p.8

 

• The Law and Development of Local Government in Nigeria’. P. 11.

 

• Essay of Local Government’ p.41.

 

• Ameh ss The Local Government System under the 1999 Constitution (2003) 14, NBA Ilorin. P.23.

 

• Development, management and Government Bureaucracy in Nigeria. P. 28.

 

• The Constitution, 1979.

 

• The Local Government System under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, p. 23.

 

• Section 8 of the Nigeria Constitution 1999.

 

• Fourth Schedule to the Nigeria Constitution 1999

 

• Federal Ministry of Health: Primary Health care information System Handbook. Primary Health Care Department, Lagos (1990).

 

• Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, 1996. National Health Policy Abuja, Nigeria.

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

AN APPRAISAL: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

ILORIN EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A CASE STUDY

This research seeks to highlights the recent activities of Local Government in health care delivery. The study reveals the connection between local government and the sustenance of primary health care in Nigeria. The study traced the historical antecedent of health service delivery from the colonial era to the present day. It identifies the major contradictions in the management of primary health care implementation. Using a local government as a case study. They include employment or shortage of qualified personal, finance, inadequate transportation, inaccessibility to communities, lack of maintenance culture, political instability, high degree of leadership turn-over. For the sustainability of health care service delivery at the grassroots, the study recommends increase financial allocation, community mobilization, improved health education, policy consistency and provision of qualified health workers.

This report presents findings from a survey of 252 primary health facilities and 30 local governments carried out in the States of Kogi and Lagos in Nigeria in the latter part of 2002. Nigeria is one of the few countries in the developing world to systematically  decentralize the delivery of basic health and education services to locally elected governments.

ITS health policy has also been guided by the Bamako Initiative to encourage and sustain community participation in primary health care services. The survey data provide systematic evidence on how these institutions of decentralization are functioning at the level local governments and community based organizations – to deliver primary health service.

The evidence shows that locally elected governments indeed do assume responsibility for services provided in primary health care facilities. However, the service delivery environments between the two States and strikingly different. In largely urban Lagos, public delivery by local governments is influenced by the availability of private facilities and proximity to referral centre in the State. In largely rural Kogi, primary health services are predominantly provided in public facilities but with extensive community participation in the maintenance of service delivery. The survey identified on issue which is highly relevant for decentralized policies – the non-payment of health staff salaries in Kogi which is suggestive of problems with local governments are heavily dependent on fiscal transfers from higher tiers of government.

Traditionally, local government is the government established at the local level to carry out specific functions.

It is more closer to the people thus often described as the “government at the grassroots level”. Local government as a concept with the three tier of governance as generally conceived as government at the local level exercising power through elected representative council establish by law to so exercise function jurisdictional allotted.

Thus, this project work present to examine local government as the closet arm of government with the realm of providing health care to the grass root. To achieve this object attempt there is need for proper foundation.

Definition of local government with its project, the historical foundation of local government system in Nigeria and the status of local government vis-à-vis the basic constitutional provision shall be explored.

The major focus of the project is the examination of the local government primary health care delivery in Nigeria that shall be adequately examined. At the end of the project, there should be summary to finding as to how the primary health care delivery has succeeded in improving the health at the grass root, their shall be conclusion and summary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

AN APPRAISAL: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

1.0       General Introduction

1.1       Introduction

            Local governments are potentially effective instrument for rural transformation and delivery of social services i.e. health care delivery.

This is because of local governments proximity to the people and the relative ease with which they can communicate with the local jurisdiction. The constitution guarantees the existence of system of democratically elected local councils and each State must enact legislation to establish same and provide for their structure.¹

The project topic health care delivery in the local government is worth research considering the position of local government in any democratic society. This position seems to be particularly true of the democratic situation in Nigeria especially since it has been argued that the worst democratic system of government is better than the most benevolent military system of government.²

Democracy is thus a form of governments in which the highest premium is placed on the participation of the individual in government. Local government system within the three tiers of government brings governance to the citizen at the grass roots. This is mutadis in agreement with the doctrine of federalism, which is enshrined in the Nigeria constitution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¹See section of the Nigeria constitution 1999, Ebere D, The Federal Republic of Nigeria (International Association or centres for federal studies) pp. 1-2

 

²Oshilaya Owolabi S. et etal, Democracy and the Rule of law in Nigeria. The role of the Judiciary (F.H.L, Press 2008).

to the effect that, there exists three tier of government, the federal, states and local governments.³

Thus, in this project I shall consider local government as an organ of third tier of government within the Nigeria federal structure outside the central government that are concern with administrative function in the grass root. This is to bring out clearly the essential features of local governments as competent institution in the discharge functions constitutionally assigned in their own right.

Chapter one of the project is devoted to the general introductions to the project topic “Local Government and Health Care delivery in Nigeria”.

Chapter two of the project examines the definitions of local government as well as the concept of health care within local government  system is examined with reference to its constitutionally assigned functions part of which is the provision of primary health care to the people at the grass root.

Chapter three of the project examines the third tier of governance in Nigeria. The structure and function of local government will be examined in this chapter.

 

 

 

 

³The federal, the States, the executive section 5(1) and section 8(2) and section 7 for local government. The Nigeria constitution 1999 (the constitution shall simply refer to as the constitution). See Akanole J.O, Introduction to the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (MIJ publishers).

 

1.2       Background to the study

            Health care delivery is a very essential function which the Local Government is expected to give the people at the grass root and which delivery ought to be adequate, efficient and consistent. The Local Government is very suitable for this function considering its proximity in its closeness to the people. The project work hope to contribute to the existing literature as the topic by exploring the developments in the most recent times of the government desire to tackle the menace of variety of sickness prevalent in our society.

The study of health care delivery in the Local Government therefore is based on the constitutional involvement of basic necessities to the populace particularly with regard to health.

 

1.3       Aims and objectives

This project work intends to dwell into the assessment of Local Government as a legal entity in the democratic government of Nigeria, this is with the view to determine the extent and limit to which it is duty bound to provides proper health care delivery to the citizen within its constitutional limitation.

 

Thus the specific aims of the project include:

1. To examine Local Government as an aims of government in Nigeria commencing with:

(i) Highlighting some scholarly proffer definitions of Local              Government.

⁴Provision of immunization of children against polio, manegitris, cough e.t.c.

(ii) The historical evolution of Local Government system as a legal          entity in Nigeria.

• To highlight the constitutionally vested duties, responsibilities, and obligations of Local Government administration.
• To highlight the structural arrangement of Local Government including its revenue generation and means. This is important considering the enormous fund required to executive health care delivery to the populace.
• To examine and highlight Local Government powers and duties in the provision of primary health care delivery in Nigeria, and the legal basis.
• To highlight by way of conclusion, the summary of all discourse provide some suggestions to further improve the Local Government’s ability in providing health care delivery to local people.

 

1.4       The scope of study

            Proper Local Government administration in the Nigeria political society is very important in the achievement of good governance, sustenance of democracy and equal distribution of democratic dividend to Nigerians.

It is instructive to emphasis the fact without scintilla of doubt Local Government is closer to the people at the grass root and their participation in democratic governance cannot be taken for granted. Thus, the project work is limited in scope to the examination at the health care delivery as one of the many responsibilities constitutionally vested on Local Government in Nigeria. The project will critically examine the several duties of Local Government from historical origin, legal basis, and most importantly the provision of health care to the people at the grass root.

 

1.5       Research methodology

The approach intended to be adopted in this project is to take into consideration primary and secondary sources. Reliance shall be placed on Textbooks, articles in journals and internet and law reports.

 

1.6       Literature review

It is instructive to note hat a lot of literatures abounds on the Local Government in Nigeria evolution, functions, and structure, the health care delivery within Local Government inclusive several of these write up shall be consulted in the case of writings the project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

⁵Adenike A.A, Local Government tax mobilization and utilization in Nigeria: problems and prospects. www. Local Government – Tax mobilization/Adenike accessed on 18/02/2011

Though no mention is made about, the health care function of Local Government. She concluded that for Local Governments to act as agents of development at the grass roots, their share of total public expenditure should be substantially increased.

Kunle Awotokun⁶, examines Local Government in Nigeria and its reforms since 1976 as a bedrock socio economic and political development. This paper tried to expose the contradictions and how the 1999 constitution undermined peoples aspirations as well as the efficacy of grass roots governance.

Ola R.FS⁷ examines the historical evolution, functions and administration of Local Government in Nigeria. It gives an assessment of Local Government functions within the three tiers of governance  in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nwabueze B.O.⁸ Federalism in Nigeria under the Presidential Constitution look at the Nigeria Federal Structure including the Local Government within the constitution of Nigeria.

Alex Gboyega⁹, protecting Local Governments from Arbitrary State and federal interference. What prospects from the 1990? Is also very good piece of literature that examines the various developmental stages and reforms of Local Government in Nigeria. It examines the various interference in the autonomous existence of Local Government particularly during the military area.

 

 

⁶Kunle Awotokan, Local Government Administration under 1999 constitution in Nigeria (2005) Journal social science 10(2), pp. 129-134.

⁷Tola R. F. Local Administration in Nigeria (Kegan Paul, International, London, 1984).

⁸Nwabese B.O. Federalism in Nigeria under the presidential constitution (Sweet & Maxwell, London 1983).

 

⁹Alex Gboyega, protecting Local Government from Arbitrary States and Federal inference: what prospects for the 1990s (1991) to journal of  federalism 21, ppp45-59.

Magnatus A.A¹⁰ did an extensive explanation on Local Government system in Nigeria with particular focus on its origin and structure.

 

1.7       Conclusion

            Local Government and health care delivery receives considerable attention from both the Federal and State Government in order for Local Government to discharge their functions effectively. Considering the importance of health in our society, the examination of the delivery to the grass root by the Local Government is thus very important. This shall be thorough examined in the preceding chapters.

¹⁰Ignatus Akaayor Agu and Dakas CJ Dakas Federal Republic of Nigeria constitutional origins, structure and changes in Federal countries: John Kincard & G. Alen Tarred, (Montreat and Kingston: Meaul-Queen University Press, 2005) 241-248.

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