Conference Presentation: Analysing the level of acceptability and perceived benefits of linkage between informal and formal health providers

Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) present opportunities to improve provision and access to essential health services in underserved areas such as urban slums. However, the absence of a coordinated structure for IHPs contributes to weak enforcement of regulations and poor adherence to the limits of practising license, resulting in the provision of substandard quality of care. Institutionalizing and strengthening linkages between IHPs and the formal health systems could lead to improved access to quality essential healthcare services in urban slums. The level of acceptability is high among residents of urban slums in southeast Nigeria, and the perceived benefits include improved capacity, referrals and access to quality treatment, although several intersectional factors affect the willingness to link the informal and formal systems. Dr. Uchenna Ezenwaka, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria, presents the perceived benefits of linking informal and formal healthcare providers in urban slums in Nigeria, at the 19th International Conference on Urban Health, 2023 Conference Presentation: Analysing the level of acceptability and perceived benefits of linkage between informal and formal health providers in urban slums in Nigeria