FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE AMONG OLDER ADULT IN NIGERIA

Maha, Blessing Emaojo

ABSTRACT

Prior to the emergence of modern industrial society, care for the elderly has been the responsibility of the family members in Nigeria. However, because of advance in medicine and the resultant effect of increase in aging populations the care for the elderly has become a challenge for governments across the world. On the other hand, it has also been observed that the combination of spirituality, religious practice, and health has a long and very much documented history. Thus, it was on this basis that the paper was conceived to examine faith-based approach to elderly care in Nigeria. The research technique used is a desk study design with the use of content analysis, in which data were gathered from secondary sources such as journals, books, and online resources. The method is considered most appropriate due to the nature of the study which is the review of related literature of Faith Based organizations approach to health care among older adult in Nigeria. It was observed that FBOs have had a long presence in delivering health care services to many rural and vulnerable populations in the country. Surprising however their contributions, role and approach have received cursory attention and poor visibility thus not sufficiently mapped and recognized. The paper identified approaches such as creating communication channels, training, evaluation etc. that will create better synergy for FBOs and the state healthcare system.  The paper concludes that faith-based organizations remain a key stakeholder in delivery health care in third world nations such as Nigeria particularly in this era of expanded aging populations. Finally, the paper recommended amongst others that faith-based organization and Nigeria should try and bridge the gaps that separate faith-based organizations and health care system in the country.

Keywords: Faith Based Organizations, Approach, Older Adults, Health Care and Nigeria