Three northwest states of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Zamfara struggle with inadequate funding and a shortage of personnel to cope with the rising demand for access to health care delivery, BudgIT report reveals.
The 2023 State of States report published recently shows that the health sectors in states face series of challenges despite efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
According to the report, insufficient funding, limited healthcare access, and low insurance coverage continue to plague the communities, leaving millions without adequate medical care in these three Northwestern states.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that inadequate funding and a shortage of healthcare workers were crippling the healthcare systems in Kaduna and Sokoto States, leaving rural communities in challenging situations.
This medium also reported that inadequate funding and a dearth of staff in healthcare facilities across Kano and Katsina states are affecting the states’ healthcare systems.
Another report also revealed that five northeastern states, including Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, have fallen short of the 15% budget recommendation for healthcare at the subnational levels in their 2023 expenditures.
Jigawa State
In 2023, Jigawa allocated N31.22 billion to healthcare, with N19.76 billion spent – 63.3% of the budget. This included major capital projects like the N2 billion completion of the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gumel and N730 million for equipping general hospitals.
Despite these investments, healthcare access remains a challenge, with only 810 facilities serving a population of over 7 million of the state.
One public healthcare facility serves an average of 8,992 people, highlighting disparities in rural areas.
According to the report, the state also battled a meningitis outbreak in early 2023, recording 398 cases and 38 deaths. Although containment measures were implemented, the incident exposed Jigawa’s vulnerability to health crises.
Health insurance coverage is critically low, with only 1.5% of women and 2% of men enrolled.
WikkiTimes analysis shows that the State 2023 Budget Performance Report records that the government spent over N6 billion on the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This resource would fix many rural primary health care facilities.
Kebbi State
Kebbi allocated N7.72 billion to healthcare in 2023, representing just 6.8% of its total budget. Major projects included N1 billion for general hospital rehabilitation and N100 million each for an infectious diseases’ hospital in Amanawa and the Kebbi Medical Centre in Kalgo. Despite these, the state’s healthcare infrastructure remains inadequate.
Kebbi has 949 health facilities, with each facility serving an average of 5,813 people. However, access to healthcare is still limited, particularly in rural areas. The lack of health insurance coverage is alarming – only 0.9% of men and 0.4% of women are enrolled, far below national averages.
The state also faces critical challenges such as deteriorating facilities, outdated equipment, and a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. Maternal and child mortality rates remain high, reflecting the urgent need for increased funding, expanded health insurance, and improved healthcare access in rural areas, the report said.
Despite the critical need in healthcare in the state, in October 2024, Governor Nasiru Idris donated four new Toyota Land Cruisers to emirs in the four emirates of Kebbi State worth multimillion naira that could have fixed many health facilities.
This is not the first time the governor of Kebbi State will distribute SUVs. Seven months earlier, in March this year, Governor Idris also distributed SUVs to members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, security services, and chairmen of boards, departments, and agencies worth multimillion naira.
Zamfara State
Embroiled in insecurity, Zamfara needs adequate attention to primary healthcare facilities.
According to the report, the state allocated only N5.74 billion to healthcare in 2023, a mere 4.82% of its total expenditure. With just N83 million spent on hospital construction and rehabilitation, healthcare infrastructure remains grossly inadequate.
Key projects, such as the expansion of the Women and Children Hospital in Gusau and the construction of the Farida VVF Hospital, offer hope but fall short of addressing the state’s broader healthcare needs.
Zamfara has 747 healthcare facilities, with one facility serving an average of 7,562 people. The limited number of facilities, coupled with a growing population, results in overcrowded centres and delayed treatment.
Health insurance coverage is almost non-existent, with only 0.1% of men and 0.6% of women enrolled. This leaves residents vulnerable to high out-of-pocket expenses, further limiting access to essential healthcare services.
In 2020, the former Governor of the state (now state Minister of Defence) Bello Matawalle purchased and distributed 19 brand new cars to his commissioners at the cost of N570m.
According to the BudgIT report, the healthcare system in the three states is struggling with low funding, inadequate infrastructure, and poor insurance coverage which continue to undermine healthcare delivery.
The report suggested that these states must increase healthcare funding to upgrade infrastructure, engage more professional workers, procure modern equipment, and expand health insurance coverage, particularly for low-income families.
