Healthcare in Nigeria is provided by both the public and private sector, with a sizeable percentage being delivered by the private sector. Health problems in Nigeria are challenging and it is imperative that structures are put in place to address these challenges.

 

Healthcare, irrespective of where care is being provided, should be flexible and responsive to the needs of the patients, while not taking away from organisational aspirations. Healthcare should be patient focussed, of high standard and quality; flexible and responsive 24 hours 7 days of the week (24/7). There should be equitable access to quality care and improving public health systems

 

Health expenditures

 

Health expenditures are broadly defined as activities performed either by institutions or individuals through the application of medical, paramedical, and/or nursing knowledge and technology, the primary purpose of which is to promote, restore, or maintain health. Nigeria’s health expenditure is 5.3% of its GDP (2011). Country comparison to the world: 127

 

Analysis of Nigeria's budget for health in 2016

 

In 2013, the Federal government budgeted N270 billion (Naira) for the health sector, (5.5 percent of the Federal budget), in 2014, the Federal government budgeted N216.40 billion (4.4 percent of the Federal budget and a 20.73 % decrease in the actual value of the health budget). 5.5 percent of the national budget (N237 billion) was allocated to health in 2015.The current government has budgeted N221.7 billion for health in 2016. A budgetary allocation of 4 – 6% is grossly inadequate to provide Nigerians with quality healthcare.

 

 

 

Nigeria Health Metrics

 

The top 10 causes of death in Nigeria are -

1. Malaria 20%

2. Lower Respiratory Infections 19%

3. HIV 9%

4. Diarrheal Diseases 5%

5. Road Injuries 5%

1. Protein-Energy Malnutrition 4%

2. Cancer 3%

3. Meningitis 3%

4. Stroke 3%

5. Tuberculosis 2%

Source: GBD Compare, 2010

 

The following health indices show that there is much work to be done to improve healthcare in Nigeria:

 

 

Mother's mean age at first birth:

 

20.9 (2008 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

 

630 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Country comparison to the world: 11

Infant mortality rate:

 

Total: 74.09 deaths/1,000 live births

Country comparison to the world: 10

Male: 79.02 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 68.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

 

Total population: 52.62 years

Country comparison to the world: 212

Male: 51.63 years

Female: 53.66 years (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate:

 

5.25 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Country comparison to the world: 13

Physicians density:

 

0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

 

Hospital bed density:

 

0.53 beds/1,000 population (2004)

Literacy:

 

Definition: Citizens age 15 and over can read and write

• Total population        61.3%

• Male                            72.1%

• Female                        50.4% (2010)