Abstract
IntroductionRapid urbanization increases competition for scarce urban resources and underlines the need for policies that promote equitable access to resources. This study examined equity and social inclusion of urban development policies in Nigeria through the lenses of access to health and food/nutrition resources.MethodDesk review of 22 policy documents, strategies, and plans within the ambit of urban development was done. Documents were sourced from organizational websites and offices. Data were extracted by six independent reviewers using a uniform template designed to capture considerations of access to healthcare and food/nutrition resources within urban development policies/plans/strategies in Nigeria. Emerging themes on equity and social inclusion in access to health and food/nutirition resources were identified and analysed.ResultsAccess to health and food/nutrition resources were explicit in eight (8) and twelve (12) policies/plans, respectively. Themes that reflect potential policy contributions to social inclusion and equitable access to health resources were: Provision of functional and improved health infrastructure; Primary Health Care strengthening for quality health service delivery; Provision of safety nets and social health insurance; Community participation and integration; and Public education and enlightenment. With respect to nutrition resources, emergent themes were: Provision of accessible and affordable land to farmers; Upscaling local food production, diversification and processing; Provision of safety nets; Private-sector participation; and Special considerations for vulnerable groups.ConclusionThere is sub-optimal consideration of access to health and nutrition resources in urban development policies in Nigeria. Equity and social inclusivity in access to health and nutrition resources should be underscored in future policies.
Highlights
Rapid urbanization increases competition for scarce urban resources and underlines the need for policies that promote equitable access to resources
Themes that reflect potential policy contributions to social inclusion and equitable access to health resources were: Provision of functional and improved health infrastructure; Primary Health Care strengthening for quality health service delivery; Provision of safety nets and social health insurance; Community participation and integration; and Public education and enlightenment
The findings from this review underscore the need for a revision of Nigeria’s urban development policies and the development of implementation guidelines that align to the SDG targets for ensuring social inclusiveness in access to urban resources
Summary
Rapid urbanization increases competition for scarce urban resources and underlines the need for policies that promote equitable access to resources. This study examined equity and social inclusion of urban development policies in Nigeria through the lenses of access to health and food/nutrition resources. Vulnerable groups are oftentimes most affected by poverty, rising unemployment, poor living conditions, and low development indicators [7]. Very often, they lack access to health care services just because they are unable to afford financial resources to pay for the care. They lack access to health care services just because they are unable to afford financial resources to pay for the care This results in millions of people who are denied nutrition and lifesaving health services. Recent estimates suggest that over 100 million Nigerians are poor [5]
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