Strengthening Healthcare Systems to Prevent Premature Deaths in Nigeria: Some Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Nigeria’s primary healthcare system continues to experience significant service delivery gaps that contribute to preventable and premature deaths. Recent cases in Benue and Sokoto States highlight the consequences of non-functional primary healthcare centres, weak diagnostic capacity, inadequate staffing, and limited access to essential services. These challenges are further compounded by insufficient funding, poor implementation of existing health policies, and weak coordination across federal, state, and local government levels, resulting in persistent inefficiencies in healthcare delivery. Despite ongoing government reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare and advancing Universal Health Coverage, implementation constraints continue to limit their effectiveness. Budgetary allocations to the health sector remain below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark, further constraining infrastructure development, workforce capacity, and service delivery improvements. In response, this policy brief recommends four key interventions: • The National Assembly may wish to mandate provision of basic laboratory services, essential equipment, and trained personnel in PHCs for evidence-based diagnosis. • NASS may also wish to improve and safeguard Health Sector financing to meet the 15% Abuja Declaration target. • The federal legislature may wish to institutionalise robust oversight, coordination, and accountability mechanisms to make sure that all the numerous well-intentioned policies and frameworks like National Health Act, Basic Healthcare Provision Fund – BHCPF, National Strategic Health Development Plan, and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative are fully implemented.