Egyptian Idea of Ma’at into the Healthcare to Cultivate Balance and Harmony
Abstract
Nigerian health sector faces many challenges including medical tourism, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality healthcare services, insufficient funding, a brain drain among clinicians, and many others. The health crisis in Nigeria has led to widespread poverty and exacerbated health disparities. Different approaches have been used by the Nigerian government to address the health crisis but have failed. This study suggests the implementation of the Egyptian philosophy of Maat to mitigate the effects of the health crisis in Nigeria. The Maat ethics is the application of the principle of balance, harmony, and order and had served as the moral foundation of ancient Egyptian society. Using the philosophy method of analysis, this study maintains that the integration of Maat Ethics into public health initiatives would enhance resilience and response mechanisms to health crises, promote community engagement, ensure equitable access to healthcare, and foster solidarity among diverse populations in the Nigerian health sector. This study concludes that by synthesizing ancient wisdom with modern public health strategies, this research aims to contribute to the development of culturally responsive and sustainable interventions for mitigating health crises in Nigeria and beyond. Additionally, incorporating traditional practices and cultural beliefs into modern healthcare approaches can help bridge gaps in access and improve health outcomes for all Nigerians.
Keywords: Maat, Health, crisis, corruption, Nigeria, Egyptian