Health Sector Readiness and COVID-19 Containment in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined health sector readiness and COVID-19 containment in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study concerned itself with the responses from the health sector, which determines its readiness to contain the COVID-19 pandemic as a health emergency. The study was guided by contingency theory. Contingency theory argues that there is no specific and best way of solving problems affecting society and therefore lays emphasis on solutions to problems. Data was collected from secondary sources using content analysis. The analysis indicated that the post-epidemic level of preparedness was poor due to decades of neglect arising from leadership ineptitude, underfunding, and inadequate training in the health sector. However, post-epidemic response and containment efforts, which have kept the fatality rate at 1.3%, demonstrate the importance of prioritization of needs under resource constraint. The drastic contingency measures of sit-at-home, lockdown, and border closure, together with emergency purchase, donor and stakeholder funding, and assistance in the provision of required medical facilities, were an apt product of resilience and courage under fire. The study recommends, among other things, increased budgetary allocation for overall health sector development in line with international best practices. This must be driven by a visionary and pragmatic leader.