Stewardship: a conceptual imperative for managerial effectiveness in the Nigerian health system

Abstract

Unacceptable health status indicators such as high infant and maternal mortality rates and low life expectancy have continued unabated inspite of government efforts to change it. This paper espouses the concept of stewardship as a selfless, ethical, cost effective and outcome oriented approach to governance. It is believed that through stewardship approach governments would improve the health status of their populations considerably. The paper implores not only government and health care managers but the Nigerian society also to imbibe the concept of stewardship to make the development of a result-oriented health system easy.

KEY WORDS: Stewardship, Managerial Imperative, Nigeria