Can Medical Social Services Department help in achieving a sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria Teaching Hospitals?
By AKINJISOLA Sylvester F.
AKINJISOLA Sylvester F. (BSc; RSW) is a Principal Medical Social Worker at the Medical Social Services Department, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Medical Village, Laje Road, Ondo City. akinvester@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Over the past decade, I have observed that individuals often labeled as “patients” in hospital settings arrive not merely with clinical conditions but with intricate “social strings” that profoundly influence their experiences and outcomes. These social dimensions—embedded in cultural, economic, and relational contexts—shape how their conditions are understood, how treatments are administered, and ultimately, how and when they transition out of care facilities.
In the dynamic and complex healthcare landscape of Nigeria, teaching hospitals serve as vital hubs for advanced medical care, professional training, and innovation. However, an often underappreciated yet essential element within these institutions is the Medical Social Services Department (MSSD). Far from being a supplementary function, medical social services are integral to achieving holistic patient care, enriching medical education, and cultivating a collaborative healthcare culture critical to the sustainability of teaching hospitals in Nigeria.
The importance of sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria cannot be overstated, given the system’s challenges: limited resources, overwhelming patient demands, and deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities. Against this backdrop, the evolution of medical social work in Nigeria reflects a shift from basic support roles to a more embedded and strategic partnership within the healthcare ecosystem. Today, MSSDs occupy a pivotal role, working closely with medical teams to address not just the physical, but also the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of health. Their work encompasses discharge planning, facilitating home care arrangements, providing mental health support, and intervening during crises, ensuring that care extends beyond the hospital walls.
Such a comprehensive approach implied the necessity of recognizing medical social services not as peripheral but as foundational to equitable and effective healthcare delivery. As Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to navigate its challenges, a critical and sustained investment in MSSDs will be central to bridging gaps, addressing systemic inequities, and fostering a truly patient-centered model of care.
STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s healthcare system represents a dichotomy of public and private providers, underscored by significant disparities in access, quality, and outcomes. Despite its potential, the system grapples with entrenched challenges:
Resource Limitations: Healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, are plagued by insufficient medical supplies, outdated equipment, and inadequate infrastructure.
–Inefficient Management: Bureaucratic bottlenecks and disorganized administration exacerbate issues such as prolonged waiting times and suboptimal patient care.
– High Patient-to-Doctor Ratios: A glaring shortage of healthcare professionals results in brief, impersonal consultations that undermine comprehensive care.
For instance, public hospitals in Lagos epitomize these challenges. Patients endure hours of waiting for fleeting interactions with overwhelmed doctors, reflecting systemic strain. This pervasive scenario highlights an urgent need for a paradigm shift towards sustainable, patient-centered healthcare delivery.
Justification for Medical Social Services in Teaching Hospitals
The indispensability of Medical Social Workers (MSWs) in teaching hospitals cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s multifaceted healthcare system. These professionals play a pivotal role in addressing the complex interplay of medical, social, and psychological factors that influence patient outcomes. Their key contributions include:
- Comprehensive Psychosocial Assessments: MSWs delve into the underlying social, emotional, and environmental factors that affect a patient’s health. By identifying these determinants, they ensure that care plans are informed by a holistic understanding of each individual’s unique circumstances.
- Management of Complex Needs: They are equipped to navigate the intricate challenges that often accompany healthcare delivery in Nigeria, such as poverty, stigma, chronic illnesses, and limited access to social support systems. MSWs serve as critical advocates for vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable care.
- Holistic Care Coordination: By bridging the gap between clinical treatment and psychosocial support, MSWs foster a more integrated approach to healthcare. This includes addressing emotional well-being, family dynamics, and social challenges alongside medical interventions.
- Facilitating Access to Resources: MSWs act as a vital link between patients and the broader support network, connecting them with financial aid programs, community services, rehabilitation opportunities, and support groups tailored to their needs.
- Promoting Sustainable Recovery: Recognizing that true recovery extends beyond discharge, MSWs design and implement strategies to support patients as they reintegrate into their homes and communities. This approach reduces the likelihood of relapse, enhances quality of life, and fosters long-term well-being.
Medical Social Workers are not ancillary but central to teaching hospitals’ operations, embodying a model of care that is both compassionate and sustainable. As Nigeria strives to reform its healthcare system, MSS must be at the forefront of this transformation, championing a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the root causes of health inequities and fosters resilience in both patients and the system at large.
