Roles of humanitarian services in tackling healthcare inequality in developing countries

The World Humanitarian Day was recently held to celebrate men and women who on a regular basis expose themselves to various forms of danger in the course of assisting people who are under-served in terms of healthcare and social needs.

These great men and women do not hold anything back in their quest to help save and ensure better lives for others.

On that day, HealthnewsNG.com asked people who have engaged in these activities at one time or another - or have made it their lives' work to create a world where healthcare services are equitably distributed.

‎Hembafan Oragande is a passionate volunteer based in Jos, Nigeria, she volunteers regularly with Pro-Health international Africa on various medical missions across Nigeria. She said she is motivated to volunteer because it gives her the opportunity to improve the lives of other people. 

"Improving the lives of other people was the motivation because that is what  I love to do. It's also a way of giving back to the society," she told HealthNewsNG.com.

Basil Ohagwu, a prospective nurse based in the USA volunteered for Action Aids before leaving Nigeria. According to him, volunteering is "very fulfilling and full of personal lessons". In the same vein, Linda Oluoha another US-based Nigerian said she volunteers in various voluntary capacities anytime she is in the Nigeria. She specifically mentioned her passion for educating people while on such voluntary assignments. 

She said: "I like volunteering because helping others helps humanity as a whole, especially through education. I am especially motivated knowing that my contribution can help give someone a better tomorrow."

For Chris Njoku, project Officer with Pro-Health International Africa, his motivation for volunteering is connected to the desire to see change and make the world a better place. 

He said: "I believe we all have a responsibility to become contributors in life. So whatever area of gift/talent/potential/skill that you have can be used to better humanity. I see it as a call from God to dispel the darkness of poverty, sickness and pain plaguing the world."

Nigeria recently called for volunteers to join in the nation's fight against Ebola virus disease. One of those who answered the call and is helping in the care and management of quarantined Ebola patients in Lagos state, Nigeria is Nwosu Emeka. He told HealthNewsNG.com he is very passionate about what he does and enthusiastically shared his experiences. 

He said: "I believe the battle against the deadly Ebola virus can be won with dedication and selfless service of passionate volunteers. The patients need a lot of care."

Quality Healthcare services without humanitarian efforts

In a recent report on whether free medical missions really helped, some volunteers shared the impact they are making with their works. They said they don't see a near future where there may not be needed for voluntary and humanitarian services as a result of government performing their responsibilities optimally.

Njoku said: "It impacts healthcare positively. Having considered the poor health status of our country, providing free health [services]to the poor and less privileged people in the rural communities of Africa is value-adding. Take for instance our visit to a community in Ondo State that lacks a hospital, not even a primary health care centre. You can imagine how poor their health status would be. We didn't expect less and trust me we saw a whole lot of issues that needed adequate health attention. The government alone cannot do all. Therefore the need for humanitarian services cannot be overemphasized."

Hembaphan strongly believes collaboration is a strong tool that can help improve healthcare service delivery.

"I don't see a future where there may not be need for voluntary healthcare because no matter how capable the government is, two hands will always be better than one and with the rate the population is growing, we still need more volunteers," ‎she said.