5 things you should know before 2020
So, I moved Circle Health to a publication under my main account. This will help make it easier for you to read my posts on both platforms.
Here’s a list of things you should know before 2020.
You are N2000 healthier!
The first thing you should know is that the Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked about N2000 to spend on your health (yes, you reading this) for the whole of 2020[1]. This means that you will get about N167 every month! So, generous right? This represents 4.14% of the total budget, a far cry from the Abuja Declaration agreement of allocating at least 15% of the total budget to health.
This money is meant to be spent by the Federal Ministry of Health on salaries of healthworkers, electricity of health facilities, maintenance of hospitals, and drugs for Malaria, Polio, Child Vaccination, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, HIV/AIDS, cancer diagnosis machines, health research, training and health promotion activities. Source: Premium Times Nigeria
Also, there is something called the Basic Healthcare Provision fund which was signed into law by the Goodluck administration under the new National Healthcare act in 2014. Under the new act, at least 1 percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) shall be allocated to Basic Health Care Fund (BHCF). This fund is earmarked for the provision of Primary Health Care to all Nigerians by increasing the level of financial resources to PHC services[2]. The government is meant to allocate at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the BHCF. CRF was N10.33 trillion which means that 1% amounts to N103.3 billion, however, the Federal Government has chosen to allocate N44.5 billion for reasons best known to the FGN[1]. According to the WHO, most of the healthcare needs of the average person will be at the Primary Health Care level, and BHCF is meant to be aimed at making quality healthcare available at that level. A goal that is being made impossible with the limited resources allocated by the government.
You should join FitFam now
The oldest millennial turned 38 this year, and the youngest, 23[3], it is safe to say that we will all hit our 30s and 40s in the coming decade. If you are a millennial, or at least a 90s baby reading this, remember that we will all hit or get pretty close to our 30s in the next decade. It is not too late to turn a new leaf in terms of your health choices. The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise every week, also, healthy eating, and making wise lifestyle choices will go a long way into making your 40s, 50s and beyond really great. You can check the internet for some articles here, and here, and ask your doctor for tips.
Get Insured, Now!
You should get health insurance as soon as possible. If you are a Lagos state resident, you should sign up for health insurance. The process is not so stressful, and it begins with being registered as a Lagos resident. A more comprehensive article will be published soon. The scheme costs N8500 for an individual and N40000 for a family of four. It gives you access to different health facilities (private and public) across the state, and you are at liberty to choose your primary care provider.
You can also get health insurance directly via the NHIS, I wrote about this in a previous article, and it involves signing up via the NHIS platform, you can pick your HMO, your service provider and simply make payment. Of course, there is a waiting period after which you can access care.
Protect Your Mind
Mental illness is real and is no respecter of station, creed, or person. You deserve to be a happier, and healthier version of yourself in the coming year.
You can do this by incorporating some mental exercises like meditation into your life. Also, learning about mindfulness, positive psychology, and developing an attitude of gratitude, amongst other exercises, can go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy mental state. Do not hold things inside, better to express yourself and be free. Never carry grudges against people, and always remember that no emotion you feel is the sum of who you are.
If you feel like you cannot cope, or life is overwhelming, reach out to someone today, and see a therapist.
Do not be pressured!
Time is a construct; however, it is here to stay as well, do not let all the pressure and buzz of the coming year get to you. When setting goals for the New Year, ensure that those goals can be converted into habits, habits stay with you, even after goals have been achieved. A good friend of mine shared an article with me on this which I found to be very helpful.
Remember that life is both communal and individual, celebrate your friends when they win or achieve things, and keep putting in the work for yourself. If your efforts did not yield any fruit in 2019, ask your mentors or close friends, or people who seem to be killing ‘it’, for tips on how you can be better. The aim is to be better and to enjoy the process as well.
Ensure you sleep well, eat well, and put in the work as well. Everything good will come eventually, do not stress it.
As you try to plan for the coming year, never replace your health with any other ambition as your top priority.
A healthy mind is a happy one.
Stay happy and shey jeje.
Bibliography
[1] (Olufemi, 2019)
Olufemi, J. (2019, November 7). Nigeria budgets N2,000 for the Healthcare of each citizen in 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2019, from www.premiumtimesng.com: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-features/361373-nigeria-budgets-n2000-for-the-healthcare-of-each-citizen-in-2020.html
[2] (Health Policy Research Group, 2015)
Health Policy Research Group. (2015). Implementing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in Nigeria. RESYST 2015.
[3] (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). www.wikipedia.com. Retrieved 12 31, 2019, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennials
