Health Policy Compendium: A prognosis of Nigeria's National Health Policy of 1988, 2004, and 2016.

The sustainability of the ideal healthcare system thrives on the successful implementation of national health policy. Over 28 years, Nigeria has had three sequential national health policies in 1988, 2004, and 2016 respectively, but fall short of adequately addressing the health issues of national concerns. The scenarios prompted the necessity for this study to assess the trends of the country's health policies, as a framework that directs health services implementation in the nation. A desk review technique was used to explore both published and unpublished materials to form the study narratives. The review revealed that bureaucrats, stakeholders, development partners, civil society organizations, and pressure groups played crucial roles in the processes of converting national health plans to the three policies. Furthermore, the review, discovered that most of the policy trends covered several health challenges and how to address them, but lacks in the proper monitoring and evaluation of their implementation. As such, further national policy formation should include distinct monitoring and evaluation clauses in every implementation stage, to identify and report obstacles for immediate response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]