One of the primary responsibilities of the leaders of every country is to make sure the citizens are physically and mentally sound. Therefore, it is argued by some individuals that the most excellent way those in authority can achieve this is by constructing more health facilities. However, I strongly disagree with the opinion because, I believe that provision of food security and preventive medicine will be more advantageous.
First of all, I am of the view that rather than build more medical centers, the government should make the right types of food available and affordable to the people. If they eat balance diet, they will develop more resistance to infectious diseases as a result of strong immunity. For example, a couple of years ago in Nigeria, the hospitals were congested with patients because of malnourishment .Hence, the federal government decided to subsidized agricultural produce and in addition give grants to support youths who desired to go into farming. Because more food were made available, the populace fed well. The number of patients that patronize medical centers dropped drastically as a result of better resistance to diseases.
Another reason is, since prevention is better than cure, I believe, immunization and modified life style can enhance mental and physical well-being more than hospitalization. If the general public can be treated prophylactically by using vaccines, most of the infectious diseases will be prevented. For instance, a decade ago in Nigeria, morbidity rates of many infectious diseases were on the high side. Even though the medical professionals were putting in their best,the number of patients in the clinics were overwhelming. Hence the federal government in collaboration with World Health Organization, did not only make vaccines available, but they also sent medical professionals; such as doctors, nurses, and community- health- workers, who went to the communities and carried out massive immunization campaign. Frequent medical care reduced as a result of drop in the rate of communicable diseases Moreover, the money that would have been used in building more hospitals was channelled intogranting free education to indigent members of country.
In conclusion, I strongly argue that, to promote the peoples’ health, the government should feed them well and also immunize them. This will prevent the need for more health facilities and put a stop to regular hospitalization.