How Poor Funding And Skills Gap Undermine Healthcare In Nigeria

How Poor Funding And Skills Gap Undermine Healthcare In Nigeria

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, a professor and health law expert at Babcock University, has highlighted that inadequate funding, a shortage of skilled professionals, and a lack of essential infrastructure are weakening healthcare delivery in Nigeria………READ MORE

Speaking during the 52nd Inaugural Lecture of Babcock University, she emphasized that Nigeria’s healthcare sector is struggling and requires urgent financial intervention to ensure quality medical services for all citizens.

Addressing the theme, “The Law as Compass, Lever, or Stumbling Block? Harnessing the Power of Law to Reify and Realise the Right to Health,” Onyemelukwe-Onuobia urged the government to prioritize healthcare funding. She pointed out that despite Nigeria’s commitment under the 2001 Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15% of its annual budget to healthcare, the country has yet to meet this target, leaving the sector grossly underfunded.

She noted that while efforts have been made to increase healthcare investment, current budgetary allocations remain insufficient to meet the country’s growing healthcare demands. She warned that inflation, the reduction of foreign aid, and the increasing disease burden make it necessary to significantly boost healthcare spending.

The professor also stressed that inadequate funding has led to a high maternal mortality rate, making Nigeria one of the most dangerous places for childbirth. She described the situation as a national disgrace, emphasizing that no woman should lose her life while giving birth due to preventable complications.

Although Nigeria has strong legal frameworks such as the National Health Act, which establishes the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support medical services, she pointed out that poor implementation, lack of funding, and mismanagement continue to hinder progress.

Onyemelukwe-Onuobia called for greater transparency in healthcare spending to ensure funds are directed toward primary healthcare centers, maternity wards, and rural clinics where they are most needed. She urged the government to enforce accountability measures to guarantee that allocated resources effectively enhance healthcare delivery in the country.