The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening and transforming the country’s healthcare system.
Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau lof Statistics (NBS), expressed the commitment in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adeniran spoke at the inauguration of the National Health Facility Survey (NHFS) Report 2023,
He said that the NHFS 2023 was built on the groundwork laid by the previous surveys conducted in 2016 and 2019.
“This latest iteration incorporates several enhancements, particularly to the tools used in the data collection from the selected health facilities across the country.
“This enhanced tools provide a robust framework for systematically assessing the service availability of these health facilities, and for evaluating the level of preparedness to deliver essential services effectively,” Adeniran said.
He said that this year’s report incorporated Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs), a set of tools developed in collaboration with the World Bank and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).
According to him, the SDIs focus on assessing primary healthcare service delivery, ensuring that the monitoring process promotes greater accountability.
“It also enhances governance, and facilitates more targeted interventions for improved healthcare outcomes.
“Nigeria, just like any other developing country, faces challenges in its healthcare delivery system, with issues such as insufficient funding for healthcare facilities, outdated infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
“As a result, many Nigerians continue to struggle with accessing quality healthcare within their immediate communities, particularly in the rural areas of the country.
“Despite various reforms and investments by government and development partners, all aimed at improving the quality of healthcare delivery and outcomes, substantial challenges still exist,” he said.
He listed the challenges to include infant mortality rates (63 per 1000 live births) according to the latest National Health and Demographic Survey (NDHS) and a severe shortage of essential medicines across all medical facilities nationwide.
“These persistent issues undermine our ability to provide equitable healthcare to all Nigerians, particularly in underserved and remote areas,” he said.
The statistician-general said that the migration of healthcare professionals was another critical issue that had impeded the functioning of the healthcare delivery system.
He said that many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in the country sought opportunities abroad for better salaries, improved working conditions, and career advancement.
Adeniran said that their common destinations included the United States, the United Kingdom, and other developed nations.
He said that the trend had exacerbated the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the country which has put a further strain on our ability to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.
The NHFS report plays an essential role in guiding efforts to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“The data provided in this report offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the current state of health facilities across the country.
“The report serves as a vital resource for policymakers, health administrators, and other stakeholders, offering evidence-based recommendations for informed decision-making,” he said.
According to Adeniran, by utilising this information, we can implement targeted interventions to address the most urgent issues in healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level, where the need for improvement is most pressing.
He said that recent experiences had highlighted that the path to effective healthcare reform required active engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders healthcare professionals, policymakers, and partners.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described the event as a defining moment for the health sector in the country.
Pate, who was represented by the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said that the occasion was significant as the findings of this critical survey are shared.
Pate said that the data collection for the survey was conducted in 2023, and it represents a thorough and systematic evaluation of the state of healthcare facilities across the country.
He said that It provided invaluable insights into the preparedness and capability of our health facilities to deliver essential health services to the Nigerian population.
“This survey utilised the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool and the World Bank’s SDI to measure the performance of public health facilities nationwide.
“The survey covered a representative sample of over 3000 health facilities, ensuring that the findings accurately reflect the realities faced by healthcare providers and the communities they serve across the country,” he said.
Pate said that healthcare delivery lied at the heart of national development, adding it is critical not only for the well-being of individuals but for the prosperity of the nations.
He said that the ability to make informed decisions regarding healthcare policy, funding and service delivery required access to reliable and timely data.
“This is where the NHFS plays a pivotal role.
“The findings presented in this report highlight both the strengths of our healthcare system and the areas where we need to invest more effort.
“It shines a light on the gaps that exist, particularly in primary and secondary healthcare facilities, where the bulk of health service delivery occurs for the majority of our population.
“This insights are crucial for shaping policies and interventions that will drive improvements across the health sector and ultimately lead to better health outcomes for all Nigerians,” he said.
The minister said that the evidence contained in the report was for reflection of where we stand today, and also a guide for the future.
“This report serves as a tool to empower policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions that will address service delivery gaps.
“By using this data strategically, we can target interventions that will improve healthcare infrastructure, human resources, service availability, and the overall quality of care across our healthcare facilities.
“The findings will help to guide investment priorities and ensure that our efforts are focused on the areas where they are most needed.
“Through this, we will be able to provide better healthcare services for every Nigerian, no matter where they live or their socio-economic status,” he said.
