Total health for all in Nigeria 2050 and beyond: Strategies for reforming health professionals' education

Abstract

The health indices of a country are influenced by the number and quality of trained healthcare professionals available and their ability to respond to the challenges of societal change. Nigeria, with numerous challenges, which include population explosion, insecurity, changing epidemiology of diseases, and climate change, is in need of reforms in Health Professionals' Education (HPE). These reforms in HPE should be geared towards producing healthcare workers who are fit-for-purpose and fit of-purpose. Such health professionals are needed to address historic and current inadequacies in the health system as well as future challenges. This review highlights the basis of the problems, consequences and reforms needed in HPE in Nigeria to address the changing needs of the society, changing health conditions, and globalization to contribute to the goal of achieving 'Total Health for A11 as a strategy towards health security by the year 2050 and beyond.