The healthcare system in Nigeria is quite underfunded. Though the World Health Organization recommends countries allocate no less than 15 percent of their annual budgets to medical aid, the Nigerian government consistently falls short, spending around just 4 percent in recent years.
The country’s healthcare system is largely financed through out-of-pocket payments that account for more than 70 percent of total expenditures, placing a huge burden on households.
Challenges also exist with infrastructure; healthcare facilities are inadequate and professionals are far from abundant to meet the needs of 206 million people. With Nigeria’s population set to almost double by 2050 to see it become the world’s third-most populous nation, unchecked deficits will adversely affect the quality and accessibility of healthcare for many.
Nigeria’s dilemma, though more pronounced, relatively mirrors that of Africa at large, where vital healthcare resources are scarce. The...
