Inadequate funding and dearth of staff in health care facilities across Kano and Katsina states are affecting healthcare systems with rural communities facing serious challenges, BudgIT reports.
The BudgIT, a civic organisation promotes good governance through accountability, in a report published recently noted that the two northwestern states share a lot in common in their health delivery services to the people.
The report, “tagged State of States 2024” examined funding with emphasis on health sector where it identified the myriads of challenges in delivering quality healthcare to their populations in 2023 as leading states in the north.
These challenges, which include inadequate infrastructure, insufficient healthcare funding, insecurity, and personnel shortages, leave many residents, particularly those in rural areas, with limited access to health services.
WikkiTimes earlier reported that five states from the northeast including Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states have fallen short of the 15% budget recommendation for healthcare at the subnational levels in their 2023 expenditure.
The report also shows that Katsina State, with a population of over 8 million, has a total of 1,945 health facilities.
These include 1,902 primary healthcare facilities – the highest one nationwide – 40 secondary, and three tertiary health institutions.
Notwithstanding, while the high number of healthcare facilities seems promising, the reality on the ground is far from satisfactory.
On average, one facility serves 4,968 people, a figure that points to a strained healthcare system, according to the report.
In 2022, the insecurity caused by terrorist groups severely disrupted healthcare delivery, leading to the closure of 69 primary healthcare centres across the state.
The fear of violence and attacks on health workers has further added the crisis, with many medical personnel refusing to work in high-risk areas, thus, limiting healthcare accessibility in rural and conflict-prone communities.
The state government made some efforts by allocating N10.61 billion (36.3% of the health sector’s budget) in 2023 to improve healthcare infrastructure. The government spent N2.89 billion, on building and renovating health centres, including the construction of general hospitals and the upgrading of primary healthcare centres like the CHC Kafur.
Additionally, N35.34 million was earmarked for procuring essential pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. These investments, if properly implemented, could potentially alleviate some of the healthcare deficits in the state.
However, Katsina State’s healthcare system still faces severe structural problems. Healthcare delivery remains inadequate due to poor infrastructure, and insufficient human resources, coupled with the ongoing security threats.
Kano State
Kano State, with a population of over 15 million, has a total 1,486 health facilities, of which 1,344 are primary healthcare centres.
Like its neighbouring Katsina State, despite a large number of facilities, the Kano’s healthcare system is under intense pressure, with an average of 11,087 people per facility far beyond the WHO-recommended 10,000 per facility.
The report revealed that in many rural areas, inadequate infrastructure and staffing, coupled with poor road networks, make it difficult for people to access essential services, with women and children, in particular, suffering the consequences of this inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
A growing number of women, especially in rural areas, are forced to give birth in dangerous conditions due to the lack of nearby facilities or personnel, the report said.
It added that some women had to deliver their babies on the roadside, a tragic reality that highlights the failure of the healthcare system to meet basic needs.
Kano State has made some strides to address these issues through legislative initiatives like the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare (FMNCH) Bill, enacted in May 2023 which aims to improve access to healthcare for women and children.
However, the implementation of this policy faces hurdles, as many of the 1,224 public primary health facilities remain underfunded and lack the necessary resources to meet demand.
One of the major setbacks in Kano’s healthcare system, the report noted, is the insufficient funding and mismanagement of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The fund, designed to provide essential health services in underserved communities, has faced several challenges, preventing local facilities from operating effectively.
However, there are ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure which include the renovation of dilapidated health centres and the construction of new facilities, but much more is needed to meet the state’s healthcare demands, it added.
Both Katsina and Kano states face low levels of health insurance coverage, a critical factor in expanding access to healthcare.
According to the MICS 2021 report, only 3.9% of women and 3.5% of men in Kano have health insurance.
The limited availability of health insurance makes it difficult for many residents, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, to access timely and affordable healthcare.
The state made some progress by implementing health insurance schemes aimed at improving access to healthcare, but the schemes are still in their infancy.
The report suggests that for meaningful change to occur, both states must prioritize the improvement of primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Babaji Usman Babaji is an investigative journalist with over four years of experience, renowned for his impactful reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and holding those in power accountable in Nigeria.
His career is distinguished by participation in numerous media training programs and conferences, which have honed his investigative and reporting skills. Babaji’s data-driven stories have made a significant impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria, shedding light on critical issues and driving meaningful change.
As a reporter under WikkiTimes’ Collaborative Media (CMEDIA) Project, Babaji has led several groundbreaking investigations. He was a 2022 fellow of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and a 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa DPI/DPG fellow. His contributions to accountability journalism earned him a Certificate of Recognition from Xchange Hama Media for impactful community work.
