Insecurity and staff shortages hinder Nigeria’s health goals
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have raised concerns about persistent insecurity, workforce shortages, and inadequate funding as major barriers to achieving Universal Health Coverage. At a recent scientific conference, experts highlighted the uneven distribution of healthcare workers and the impact of bandit attacks on health facilities, especially in rural areas. Dr. Faruk Abubakar, Dr. Shehu Kakale, and other leaders called for urgent reforms, increased investment, and stronger policies to address these challenges. They emphasized the need for constitutional changes and greater collaboration to improve healthcare access for all Nigerians.
What we know
- Dr. Faruk Abubakar revealed that Sokoto State introduced a two-year compulsory service for health professionals trained on state scholarships to address manpower gaps.
- Some urban primary healthcare centres have up to 80 health workers, while some rural facilities have only one, highlighting a severe imbalance.
- Dr. Shehu Kakale called for constitutional reforms to make healthcare a fundamental right and criticized Nigeria’s failure to meet the 2001 Abuja Declaration on health funding.
- Bandit attacks have forced the closure of many health facilities in Sokoto East, overstretching available services and worsening poverty and sanitation.
- Leaders urged increased investment, stronger collaboration, and innovative strategies to ensure vulnerable and conflict-affected communities are not left behind.
