Is public health a good course in Nigeria? Is public health a good career?

Is public health a good course in Nigeria? Is public health a good career? Is public health a lucrative course in Nigeria? Where can a public health officer work in Nigeria?

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Is Public Health a Good Course in Nigeria?

Is Public Health in Nigeria a good course to take? If you had asked me this question years ago, I probably wouldn’t have answers or would have given an ethereal answer, as I lacked understanding of what this discipline entails until a few years ago.

Continue reading to find out what I think about this topic.

What is Public Health?

Public health is a relatively new field in health that focuses on preventative care than curative treatment. Public health, unlike therapeutic medicine, which focuses on the treatment of diseases and other minor disorders, is concerned with the protection of human health through health promotion and disease prevention. The field of public health plays a key role in influencing people’s behaviors by providing them with the knowledge and information they need to make positive and informed health decisions. Public health has the ability to positively impact the lives of millions of people throughout the world, from scientific study and discoveries to awareness campaigns and policy advocacy.

Public health brings together a unique blend of study, investigation, and action. More so, it brings people from all disciplines, backgrounds, and viewpoints together to find the core causes of health problems and develop long-term, innovative solutions that will better improve health outcomes of populations and, as a result, improve their quality of life.

What are the different areas of specialization in Public Health?

Public health is an interdisciplinary field that entails a wide range of expertise in order to work effectively and efficiently. Health Administration, Health Services Management, Health Sociology, Public Health Nursing, Public Health Research, Epidemiology, Community and Environmental Health, Public Health Laboratory Technology, Public Health Nutritions and Dietetics, Health Education, Biostatistics, Data Collection and Analysis, Field-Based Monitoring and Evaluation are just a few of the specializations in public health.

What do Public Health Professionals do?

Public health professionals help in keeping communities healthy, protecting workers, preventing and responding to pandemics, pursuing social justice, influencing public policy, coordinating disaster assistance, and ensuring healthcare access, among other things. They also help develop and share health interventions that assure long-term health and equity.

Where can Public Health Professionals work in Nigeria? Public health job opportunities in Nigeria

Given the monumental importance of public health, there are numerous public health occupations available in both the public and private sectors. In nonprofits, community organizations, higher education, government, private industry, and health care, public health professionals are at the forefront of research, practice, and service. You can find them at research institutions, national, state, and local government health agencies and departments, private health-based organizations and foundations, administrative and policy-making bodies, and government and non-governmental organizations both inside and outside Nigeria.

Career Prospects in Public Health

Completing your bachelor’s degree in public health is a stepping stone towards an advanced educational level in the field, such as a graduate certificate or master’s degree in public health (MPH), if you wish to work in one of the more advanced public health positions. The advanced degree allows you to work at a higher level and earn more money. Epidemiology, advanced health education, and research are some of the public health positions that require a master’s degree.

First and foremost, you must evaluate your career goals. A public health degree could be the appropriate fit for you if you want a secure profession with room for advancement. A bachelor’s degree in public health can lead to a variety of job options.

If you already have an associate’s degree and want to advance in your career, a bachelor’s degree can help you do so. If you want to work in some advanced roles, a bachelor’s degree can help you get an MPH, which is commonly required for more senior positions, as mentioned above.

You must also choose a field of interest. As previously said, there are various areas of expertise in public health, selecting interest areas can help you stay on course and avoid “misplaced priorities.” It’s also vital to think about your specific interests and learn more about them.

How much do Public Health Professionals earn in Nigeria?

Salaries for public health professionals in Nigeria vary depending on aspects such as entry levels, educational levels, type of organization, and so on. According to nigerianprice.com, a public health professional’s typical pay in Nigeria ranges from $180, 000 to $350, 000. Professionals who work for organizations outside of Nigeria, on the other hand, tend to have greater salaries.

According to Regiscollege.edu, the following are the most demanding occupations in public health in the U.S, along with their average annual pay.

👉Healthcare Administrator- $99,730
👉Public Health Advisor- $68,000
👉Public Health Administrator- $64,952
👉Public Health Analyst- $61,404
👉Health Educator- $46,080
👉Community Health Coordinator- $44,994
👉Community Health Worker- $36,890

Is Public Health a good course in Nigeria? Is public health marketable in Nigeria?

Nigeria, like most developing countries, has a lot of needs, one of which is health. This is one of the main reasons why health professionals are always in demand. Because public health is such a dynamic field, public health practitioners are not left out. It is one of the most diverse fields in the medical world. It covers a wide range of topics and is as diverse as you can imagine. While the profession is in high demand in Nigeria right now, it is also one of the most lucrative in terms of job opportunities and prospects. The profession encompasses a wide range of fields and activities, all of which are centered on public health protection.

There are numerous factors in Nigeria that contribute to a decline in the health of populations. These reasons include, among others, ignorance, a lack of education and information, and a lack of financial means and capability. If not properly addressed, can lead to health problems such as malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and an increase in morbidity and mortality. As a result, public health professionals help is desperately needed to combat this.

Emergency situations like insurgencies in the North will require a Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator will to lead the charge. However, he or she will not be able to handle the situation alone, as other allied health care professionals such as an epidemiologist, public health nurse, public health nutritionist and dietician, health educator, monitoring and evaluation officer, and others will be required to keep the situation under control. Infections diseases tend to spread more quickly in overcrowded areas like ID camps, slums etc. In such situations, public health professionals help in the discovery of health interventions (such as the provision of WASH facilities) that will aid in the reduction of disease transmission; there by, protect the health of the individuals in those communities.

Without a doubt, a career in public health can be gratifying, since it can be rewarding and impactful as you get to make a difference in people’s lives. That, in my opinion, is purpose and fulfillment altogether.

Conclusion

Public health is a constantly developing field that allows you to investigate the most recent breakthroughs and discoveries and see how you may use them to the betterment of humanity. There’s no time like the present to pursue a career in public health, with so much on the line and the future uncertain.
Looking for a rewarding health-care career in Nigeria? You should consider pursuing a profession in public health.

Stella-maris Achumba

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